Aberdeen were left to rue missed chances as St Johnstone came from behind to score a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.
The injury-hit Dons led through Simon Church’s goal but they could not find a second goal and Saints snatched a point with a penalty late in the game.
The Dons suffered a blow before kick-off with the news leading scorer Adam Rooney will miss the next six weeks.
The attacker, who has scored 19 goals for the Dons this season, suffered a torn thigh muscle in training on Thursday and is not expected back until after the split.
Rooney joined Jonny Hayes, who has a hamstring injury, in watching from the stand along with full back Shay Logan, who missed the game due to suspension.
Despite the reshuffle the home side almost took the lead inside the first minute when Simon Church did well out left before cutting the ball back to Kenny McLean, but he fired straight at Alan Mannus in the Saints goal.
The visitors had chances of their own through Graham Cummins, Steven MacLean and Danny Swanson but the Dons stood firm before making the breakthrough 10 minutes before half-time.
Church got the all-important goal, reacting to the loose ball to fire it into the empty net after Mannus had made a great save to keep out Ashton Taylor’s header from a Niall McGinn corner.
The Dons continued to press for a second goal in the second half and Mark Reynolds, Church and Pawlett all had chances to extend the home side’s lead and they were left to rue those missed chances as Saints grabbed an equaliser two minutes from time.
Substitute Liam Craig was sent sprawling in the box by the oustretched boot of captain Ryan Jack, prompting referee Steven McLean to award a penalty.
The Dons appealed the decision but the referee stood firm and Craig took the spot kick himself, firing past Scott Brown to earn the Saints a point.