Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis snuffed out the threat of Ventspils with a superb penalty save as the Dons secured their place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League in Latvia.
Lewis’ save just before half-time proved crucial as the Dons secured a 1-0 win thanks to Adam Rooney’s late goal and with it a 4-0 aggregate win.
The Dons will face either Maribor of Slovenia or Bulgarian side Levski Sofia in the first leg which will be held at Pittodrie next week.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes named an unchanged starting 11 from the first leg at Pittodrie with Andy Considine playing at left back again while Graeme Shinnie partnered captain Ryan Jack in midfield.
With the Dons holding a 3-0 advantage from Pittodrie they knew an away goal would all but end the Latvians’ hopes of coming back at Ventspils Stadium.
But it was the home side who threatened first through Ritvar Rugins but his shot from the edge of the box was instinctively saved by the chest of Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
Jack found himself earning an early caution as the home side pushed for a goal to give them a lifeline in the tie and leading goalscorer Girts Karlsons should have done better from Alans Sinelnikovs corner but he headed over the crossbar from six yards.
It was a confident start from Paul Ashworth’s side but the Dons weathered the early pressure and Niall McGinn came close to a spectacular opener with a half volleyed effort from out wide which flew past Maksims Uvarenko’s right post.
The Dons thought they had scored the away goal they craved when Rooney headed the rebound across the line after Jack’s 20 yard shot bounced off the crossbar but the Irishman’s goal was ruled out for offside with television replays showing the officials had got the decision correct.
To compound the visitors’ disappointment the home side were then awarded a penalty before the break when Alekseevs went down following a challenge from Dons defender Ashton Taylor.
Lewis was equal to Antons Jemelins spot kick, however, diving low to his right to palm away the shot before saving the rebound and the Dons managed to clear the danger.
The Dons had a great chance to put this tie beyond the home side within a minute of the second half when Graeme Shinnie headed the ball back across goal to Rooney but the ball bounced off the forward’s knee and over the crossbar.
Aberdeen were on top and they created another chance when Rooney headed Jonny Hayes’ cross goalwards but Kenny McLean just failed to direct the bouncing ball on target.
Uvarenko then made a fine save to keep out McGinn’s 25 yard free kick as the Reds increased the pressure towards the Ventspils goal.
The home side did not give up, however, and Lewis had to look lively again to keep out Simonas Paulius’ drive from the edge of the box.
The Dons were not to be denied though and they secured their place in the next round 10 minutes from time when Hayes crossed for Rooney who fired past Uvarenko.
A sweeping move in the final minute involving substitutes Wes Burns and Jayden Stockley ended with Shinnie running clear into the box but Uvarenko did well to save the midfielder’s shot.
