Aberdeen 1 - 1 Inverness CT

Once again Aberdeen left it late to grab a goal as Steve Lovell popped up to level in the 93rd minute. It looked as if it was going to be thirteenth time lucky for Inverness when Rankin scored with only four minutes remaining. It was a poor performance from the home side and no one could have denied Inverness the win, but Aberdeen have made a habit of claiming late goals this season and despite the late goal Aberdeen have slipped further behind Rangers and will have to see how Hearts fare tomorrow when they face champions Celtic.

Aberdeen kicked off and started positively with a long throw from Severin in the opening minute testing the visiting defence. At the other end Anderson had to look smart in the swirling wind to clear his lines. The conditions were causing big problems as both teams struggled to bring the ball under control. Aberdeen won the first corner of the match in the 8th minute as they finally strung some passes together but the delivery from Nicholson was disappointing and was easily cleared.

Two minutes later a whipped cross from Severin was bundled wide for a second corner that was once again easily defended. Nicholson then fired well over in the 11th minute before Inverness threatened for the first time and Anderson, under severe pressure from Bayne, was forced to concede a corner. The chance came to nothing but Hart caused panic a minute later when he almost lost out to Bayne but recovered in time to steer the ball to Anderson. Wyness fired straight at Langfield in the 17th minute but five minutes later the keeper made a fine save as he dived low to turn a Wilson drive round the post.

Lee Miller had the ball in the net in the 23 minute when he latched on to a Brewster flick but he was a yard offside. At the other end Wyness went close when he steered the ball over the bar from 9 yards out. Aberdeen were living dangerously and Dods fired inches over in the 25th minute as Aberdeen struggled to create chances at the other end. There were claims for a spot kick in the 27th minute when Wilson took a tumble as Langfield and Hart dithered at the back. Inverness were now in control of the game and Hart was forced to concede another corner in the 32nd minute but the move ended with a wild effort from Rankin.

Langfield spilled an effort two minutes later, but he recovered before Wyness could pounce. Mackie then did well to keep the ball in play, but failed to find a team mate with his cross. Anderson headed a Severin free kick in the 38th minute across goal, but Lee Miller was well marshalled and failed to connect with the ball. An Inverness free kick on the edge of the box was fired over by Rankin and a bit of head tennis at the other end took Brewster by surprise and Brown gathered the ball. In the closing minute of the half Craig Brewster had to leave after damaging his arm and Considine replaced him as the Dons reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

Jimmy Calderwood reverted to the mid-week starting line up when Dempsey replaced Maguire at the interval. Mackie did well in the 47th minute as he eluded three defenders and fired in a cross that was missed by everyone. At the other end Inverness threatened with a couple of long throws before Mackie put Tokely under pressure in the 53rd minute forcing Brown to boot clear under pressure. There were loud appeals for the Dons first penalty of the season when Miller looked to have been pushed to the ground in the 55th minute, but Mr. McCurry was not about to be the first official to award the Dons a spot kick.

Two minutes later Severin took the ball down with his chest 35 yards from the Dons goal and Mr. McCurry awarded a free kick for hand ball that Rankin drilled inches wide of the target. Another disputed free kick in the 62nd minute was fired well over by Barry Wilson before the Dons were awarded a free kick to a chorus of ironic cheers from the home crowd. The 66th minute witnessed a wild effort from Foster that may have caused damage to spectators in row Z. A minute later the Dons defence were at sixes and sevens at an Inverness corner and Bayne should have done better with a shot from six yards.

Lee Miller should have scored in the 69th minute when Mackie's pace caused problems and he cut the ball back to his striking partner. Unfortunately Miller scooped his effort over the bar from the edge of the box. Two minutes later Miller was felled on the edge of the box, but Severin's shot was deflected straight into the arms of Brown. Inverness then had a lengthy spell of pressure as Aberdeen struggled to clear their lines. Calderwood made his final substitution in the 79th minute when Lovell replaced Miller. Two minutes later Dempsey drilled the ball wide as the game looked to be heading for a no scoring draw.

A second penalty claim in the 85th minute was once again ignored by the official but worse was to follow a minute later when the Dons defence again failed to clear their lines and Rankin steered the ball past Langfield. Anderson came close to a booking as he continued his penalty protest with Mr. McCurry after the goal. Lovell went close in the 89th minute but Inverness cleared their lines. There was still time for a third penalty claim to be denied when Dempsey went down but Lovell was to be the hero again as he grabbed a goal deep in injury time when he lobbed Brown for a dramatic finish. Mr. McCurry had the last word however as he made his only booking of the match by showing Lovell a yellow card for his celebration.

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Match Stats:

		Dons	ICT
Goal Attempts		5	10
On Target		2	3
Corners		3	5
Possession		48%	52%

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