Aberdeen striker Sam Cosgrove believes his side showed their character after digging deep to earn a share of the spoils against Hibernian on Saturday.
The Dons rescued a point at Pittodrie after playing most of the second half with 10 men and finished the game with nine following red cards to Curtis Main on his first home start and Lewis Ferguson.
Cosgrove admitted to a sense of relief and frustration at not winning the game but was pleased to see his team-mates fighting for the cause just a week after the 5-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox.
He said: “This showed the character that was lacking last week. The manager said we needed a big performance and we have shown the resilience and determination that is in this squad.
“Even though it wasn’t three points I think the fans appreciated it, going down to 10 and then nine men and still getting some sort of a result.
“It should give us a springboard, even though it’s not three points we can take a lot from it.”
The players and management have come in for criticism following the heavy defeat in Glasgow but Cosgrove is confident his side will improve.
He said: “It is disappointing with the injuries and it’s hard work but we are well equipped, we still have a good squad, there are still plenty of good players around.
“In terms of pressure we are used to it. Aberdeen is a big club, we’re used to winning and when we are not the pressure does come.
“The manager has touched on it, we just need to soak it up and work hard and keep on going.”
Cosgrove headed his 14th goal of the season five minutes from time to give the 10-man Dons a share of the spoils before Aberdeen ended the game with nine men after Lewis Ferguson joined Curtis Main in being dismissed by referee Don Robertson.
Cosgrove believes both his team-mates were unfortunate to be shown red cards.
He said: “I was literally right next to the first one and I was shocked to see the red come out straight away. Curtis has lunged in, which was sloppy, but there was absolutely no malicious intent.
“The second happened so quickly. I don’t think Fergie has caught the boy with his studs and Fergie said the same, I think he has caught him with his trailing leg in which case it’s harsh to give him a red card. But when you lunge in you always give the ref the chance to make that decision.”