Aberdeen were held to a 0-0 draw by FC Groningen at Pittodrie, after failing to find a breakthrough against the Dutch side.
The Dons now must go one better next Thursday in order to progress to the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, however Groningen will be looking to capitalise fully on home advantage.
In a close-fought 90 minutes, Aberdeen’s best chances fell to Niall McGinn and Man of the Match Peter Pawlett in the first-half, however stern defending from the visitors kept them out.
Pawlett was back in the side after recovering from an ankle injury, while new signing David Goodwillie took his place amongst the substitutes.
Following a quiet opening five minutes in which the Dutch side looked to get comfortable on the ball, it was Pawlett who brought the Pittodrie crowd to their feet on six minutes with a silky piece of skill to leave Hans Hateoer trailing. The attacking midfielder tried to find Niall McGinn with a low delivery, however it was hacked clear by the visiting defence.
Groningen’s first attempt came moments later, courtesy of a weak shot by Danny Hoesen which Jamie Langfield gathered with ease.
Pawlett had the beating of Hateboer again ten minutes later, marauding past the right-back before shooting from the inside-left channel, with goalkeeper Sergio Padt’s parried clearance fortuitously coming off his own defender and out for a corner.
The Dons survived a scare on 23 minutes when Serbian winger Filip Kostic sent a seemingly harmless low cross in from the left, with the home defence leaving the ball to run before watching it run perilously close to Langfield’s left-hand post.
Hateboer avoided going into the book for a clumsy challenge on Pawlett, however the Dons midfielder had his marker beaten once more two minutes later, before releasing Niall McGiin whose first-time shot was blocked by the onrushing Padt.
Aberdeen were beginning to dictate a fast tempo and Willo Flood sent a glorious ball in from the right which Jonny Hayes met with a looping header, with Padt clinging onto his effort under pressure from Adam Rooney – who was penalised for impeding the keeper.
As the game edged closer to half-time Groningen reminded the Dons of their threat on 42 minutes. Hateboer’s cross from the right took a deflection off Mark Reynolds, and after Langfield clawed the ball wide, the hosts breathed a sigh of relief as Hoesen’s flick across goal was mopped up on the line by Shaleum Logan.
The Dons had the ball in the net when McGinn’s corner was met by the head of Reynolds, before being bundled home by Jack. However, referee Hugo Miguel drew play back for a foul on the keeper.
Nick van der Velden became the first man to go into Miguel’s book on 57 minutes for a foul on Hayes, and he was followed by skipper Maikel Kieftenbeld just two minutes later.
The Dutch outfit threatened on 61 minutes as Rasmus Lindgren tried his luck from 30 yards, with Langfield diving low to his right to steer the ball behind for a corner. After the initial corner was knocked behind by the Dons, Tjaronn Chery’s delivery was headed onto the roof of the net by the unmarked Eric Botteghin.
Pawlett had the beating of right-back Hateboer all evening, and after the defender was left unpenalised for his first-half challenge, Miguel finally brandished a yellow card on 63 minutes when Pawlett’s run was halted.
Aberdeen introduced David Goodwillie to the action on 76 minutes, with the Dons debutant replacing Adam Rooney to a standing ovation.
However the Dons had a late scare when their two substitutes combined, with Jarchinio Antonia pulling the ball back for Dino Islamovic to rifle wide of the front post.
However, neither side could make the breakthrough in the dying stages, leaving all to play for in the Netherlands next Thursday.
Aberdeen: Langfield, Logan, Anderson, Reynolds, Hayes, Jack Flood, Robson, Pawlett (Low 89), McGinn, Rooney (Goodwillie 76).
Subs: Brown, Taylor, Considine, Smith, Wright.
FC Groningen: Padt, Hateboer, Botteghin, Kappelhof, Burnet, Lindgren, Kieftenbeld, Chery, van der Velden (Islamovic 82), Hoesen (Antonia 65), Kostic.
Subs: van der Vlag, Magnasco, van Nieff, Hiariej, de Leeuw.