Aberdeen and Stenhousemuir will meet again at Ochilview on January 29 after the League 1 side came from behind to earn a replay against the Dons in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
Max Lowe’s goal gave the Dons the lead but Mark McGuigan’s header with Stenny’s only attempt on target was enough to stun an Aberdeen team which was punished for failing to find a second goal.
Dons boss Derek McInnes showed Stenny maximum respect by naming a full-strength side for the game.
Greg Stewart started following his return on loan from Birmingham City on Friday while Max Lowe, who had been recalled by Derby County during the winter break, also returned to the starting 11 after his loan from the Rams was extended to the end of the campaign on Thursday.
Fit-again Gary Mackay-Steven also returned in his first appearance since suffering a horrible head knock in the Betfred Cup final against Celtic on December 2.
Aberdeen dominated possession from the first whistle and their pressure paid off the 21st minute when captain Graeme Shinnie reached the byeline before crossing for Lowe and the left back beat Graeme Smith in the Stenny goal from close range.
The goal settled the Dons and they reached the interval well on top and it took some fine goalkeeping from Stenny goalkeeper Graeme Smith at the start of the second half to keep his side in the tie.
He blocked a Mackay-Steven effort before denying Stewart with a fine goalmouth save as the Dons turned up the pressure in pursuit of a second goal.
Somehow, completely against the run of play, the visitors found an equaliser as 19 minutes from time Morgyn Neill whipped in a cross from the left and Mark McGuigan beat Joe Lewis with a bullet diving header to stun Pittodrie into silence and secure his side a replay against the Dons.
