Aberdeen were left to rue not taking their chances as nine-man St Johnstone earned themselves a point against the Dons at McDiarmid Park.
The Dons led thanks to Sam Cosgrove’s goal but could not add to their tally despite dominating and they were eventually punished as Matty Kennedy fired the home side level.
Saints were then quickly reduced to nine men but they stood firm to frustrate the Dons.
Aberdeen were led by captain Andy Considine on his 500th appearance for the club with the defender given the honour of skippering his side on his milestone game for the club.
Manager Derek McInnes made one change for the game with Craig Bryson dropping to the bench. Curtis Main was his replacement, joining Sam Cosgrove in attack.
Former Don Stevie May lined up as the lone striker for Saints.
Considine was given a guard of honour by his team-mates before kick-off and he was quickly involved in his side’s first chance of the game, sending a long ball down the left for Niall McGinn. McGinn’s cross found Shay Logan in space in the box but the right back’s shot was blocked on the line by Zander Clark in the Saints goal.
However, Aberdeen opened the scoring with their next attack when Sam Cosgrove scored a fine long range effort, firing home from 25 yards from Ryan Hedges’ lay-off.
The Dons were then denied a penalty when referee Kevin Clancy waved away strong appeals for a spot kick following Wallace Duffy’s handball to deny Main from heading home a Hedges cross.
Aberdeen kept the pressure on the home side in the second half but their failure to add to their one-lead cost them dear as Saints equalised with their first shot on target 20 minutes from time when Matty Kennedy ran clear of the Dons backline to fire past Joe Lewis.
Saints were buoyant after drawing level but they were soon left with an uphill task for the closing stages after having two players sent off in three minutes.
Murray Davidson went first for a dire challenge on Craig Bryson and he was joined by Callum Hendry for a two-footed tackle on Lewis Ferguson.
Aberdeen surged forward in search of a winner with Mikey Devlin and Considine seeing efforts saved by Zander Clark as Saints held on for a point.
