Aberdeen 1 - 1 Rangers

The Dons made one change to the side that lost out in midweek with Mackay-Steven replacing McGinn. The home side were also boosted by the news that Max Lowe had shaken off an injury sustained against Hamilton to retain his place in the starting line-up.

The opening few minutes of the match presented a battle for midfield supremacy but as the match approached the 10 minute mark the wide players from both sides started to have an impact with Candeias and Stewart asking questions with some enticing crosses.

In the 9^th minute Lowe won the ball in the middle of the park and drove towards goal before slipping the ball through for Mackay-Steven who was brought down by Goldson. Mackay-Steven picked up a knock from the challenge and had to receive treatment which resulted in a delay for the penalty to be taken.

When the time did come to take the penalty, Cosgrove stepped up and slotted the ball to McGregor?s left, the shot had just enough power to find the net despite the keeper?s best efforts.

It was a great start for The Dons but almost immediately from the restart the visitors issued a reminder of the threat they posed as Morelos broke down the right, showing great pace before hitting a low shot towards goal which Lewis turned behind.

It was an example of the quality that Morelos undoubtedly has but moments later there was an example of the other side to his game as he received a yellow card for a blatant dive in the penalty area.

Mackay-Steven had certainly made his mark on the game but was unable to shake off his injury and was replaced by McGinn in the 15^th minute.

Both keepers enjoyed a quiet spell until McGregor was called upon in the 31^st minute. Stewart produced a n excellent delivery from a free-kick and McKenna was there to meet it with a powerful header at the back post which McGregor tipped over the bar.

Rangers then had an opportunity to equalise in controversial circumstances when Cosgrove was denied a free-kick on the edge of the area. The visitors burst forward on the counter-attack through Kent but Ball managed to put enough pressure on to force the winger into a shot which ended up well over the bar.

Candeias broke in behind the defence on the right with a few minutes of the half remaining but he was unable to produce a final ball for one of his teammates as the cross trundled out of play.

The Dons were restricting the visitors to half chances and looked a constant threat on the break with Cosgrove linking up well with Stewart, McLennan and McGinn in support.

In added time of the first half another opportunity to counter presented itself when Jack gave the ball away in midfield. Stewart broke forward before playing Lowe in down the right, but the full-back was unable to pick out Stewart or McGinn in the area as the referee brought an end to an entertaining half.

All in all, it was a great half for the home side with every player doing their bit.

The visitors stared the second half on the front foot as Goldson found Kent at the back post with a long diagonal. The winger headed the ball across the box but it was a let off for Aberdeen as the attack fizzled out.

Rangers were gifted a cheap corner in the 48^th minute when Stewart was unable to turn the ball back up the field. From the corner Worrall made his way round the back of the defence and volleyed the ball into the net from 6 yards. It was a decent delivery but a very poor goal for The Dons to concede.

A few minutes later McLennan looked to burst into the area but went down under a challenge and picked up a yellow card, the winger contested the decision to no avail.

The Dons saw an opportunity to get bodies in the box from a throw-in as Considine headed up the park. The move didn?t work out as planned as Rangers cleared the box and broke down the right before Candeias picked out Kent. Kent then laid the ball off for Arfield, who was unable to keep his shot down.

On the hour mark the hosts had a corner and were unfortunate not to get back in front. The delivery was whipped in to the near post and Considine got to it first, his header was flicked into the path of McKenna, but Rangers did enough to block his effort. The ball fell for Shinnie 10 yards out, but he was unable to beat the blue shirts on the line.

It kicked-off a good spell for Aberdeen, with multiple corner kick?s going their way but they were unable to get anything on target to test McGregor.

Cosgrove became the second Aberdeen player to receive a booking when he contested a high ball with Barisic and caught the full-back with his arm.

Shinnie then followed Cosgrove into the book in the 70^th minute after catching Arfield in a 50/50 challenge. From the free-kick McKenna did very well to head the ball clear.

In the 75^th minute a free-kick delivery produced another goalmouth scramble when Ball hooked the ball back into the area after the initial header was won well, McKenna then had an opportunity to strike at goal but the ball was well blocked once again.

Moments later Lowe was booked for a challenge on Tavernier just inside the Rangers half, it looked a very harsh decision.

Rangers won a corner with 8 minutes of time remaining which Lewis did well to punch clear. With 5 minutes remaining McLennan was replaced by Wilson as Aberdeen searched for a winner.

Morelos had largely been kept quiet by Considine and McKenna but he was presented with a fantastic opportunity in the 88^th minute when a corner kick fell his way six yards from goal. Fortunately for Aberdeen, Considine was there to thwart the striker again with a great block. The last ditch challenge ensured that the sides would meet for a replay at Ibrox on Tuesday 12^th March.