Livingston 0 - 0 Aberdeen

Ten man Aberdeen showed tremendous team spirit this afternoon to earn a point at Almondvale. That point keeps them in third place and they had to fight for every minute of the game to win it. Darren Young was dismissed in the 34th minute for an innocuous trip on David Fernandez leaving the Dons with an uphill struggle. Despite some scary moments they held on and applauded the 4,500 Dons fans at the end for their tremendous support.

There was a huge Aberdeen support inside Almondvale as Darren Young got the match underway. A less than friendly tussle between Darren Young and Makel was a sign of how important this match was to both teams. The home side created the first real opening in five minutes when Quino delivered a cross wide right which Wilson directed towards goal. Fortunately for the Dons Kjaer held the effort comfortably. Two minute later Kjaer had to venture outside his box to head clear.

McNaughton created panic amongst the Livi back four when he swung in a dangerous cross in the 9th minute. Mike managed to guide the ball towards Mackie, but the danger was cleared. A minute later Broto was off his line emulating Kjaer's clearance. The Dons were creating several openings now and Mike played a perfectly weighted pass in the 14th minute for Darren Mackie to chase. Andrews reacted quickly though to concede a corner as Mackie lined up his shot. Darren Young found his way into the referee's book in the 16th minute after a badly timed challenge on Fernandez.

The next chance fell to Livi in the 19th minute. Fernandez went to ground rather easily and the resultant free kick saw Xausa have a pot from 30 yards. The effort went harmlessly wide of Kjaer's right hand post. Makel was booked in the 22nd minute for a trip on Bisconti. The Dons had a chance in the 25th minute when they broke quickly from a Livi corner. Bisconti fed the ball forward to Mackie who in turn released Winters. The forward's shot come cross floated harmlessly beyond the far post. The Dons had the best chance to date two minutes later. Following neat play by Mike, he found Winters free on the left. His shot was blocked and Darren Young collected the ball on the edge of the box and drilled his shot inches wide with Broto glued to the spot.

Darren Young was then sensationally ordered off in the 34th minute following a second trip on Fernandez. The decision looked harsh, as there was no malice in the challenge. This now left the Dons with an uphill task in what had been a very even match to this point. In the 36th minute the Dons won a free kick 25-yards out, but Winters hit the effort high over the bar. Three minutes later, Mike showed another great bit of skill and set Mackie free on the right. Unfortunately the youngster also sent his effort over the top. The 4,500 Dons fans were incensed when a late tackle by Makel went unpunished on the bye line. In the final minute McGuire was on hand with a perfectly timed tackle to deny Barry Wilson. Seconds later Fernandez should have opened the scoring but failed to connect with a Makel cross from two yards.

Apparently Livingston were warned at half time that Makel would receive a second yellow for his next bad challenge. Livi unsurprisingly replaced Makel with Bingham prior to the re-start. The home side almost grabbed the lead in the opening minute. Only a brilliant point blank save from Kjaer denied Fernandez the opener. The home team were making the extra man count, but the Dons should have taken the lead in the 54th minute when Mackie and Mike combined well only for Broto to deny the Englishman from nine yards. The game was in danger of getting out of hand with yellow cards being handed out for the most innocuous of challenges.

Ebbe looked to strengthen the midfield when Tiernan replaced Winters in the 70th minute. Two minutes later Xausa had his second chance from a free kick. This time he directed the effort on target, but Kjaer saved easily. Fernandez went very close in the 74th minute when he unleashed a terrific shot from 30 yards, which beat Kjaer and came crashing off the bar. There was an almighty goal mouth scramble in the 78th minute which ended with Livi hitting the post. There were also claims for a spot kick as Kjaer appeared to trip one of the Livi attackers.

There was another loud claim for a spot kick in the 85th minute when Bingham was bundled off the ball as Anderson challenged. Dadi then replaced the tiring Mike who received a well earned round of applause. The Dons were handed a chance in the 88th minute when Derek Young won a free kick 25 yards out. Eugene Dadi stepped up and curled the ball inches wide of the target. Despite an extra four minutes of time, the Dons held on for a deserved draw.