Heart of Midlothian 2 - 2 Aberdeen

HEARTS were distinctly fortunate to draw with the Dons at Tynecastle. No one would have grudged victory to Aberdeen, who were superior in all phases of the game. A slippery ground made ball control difficult, and this was responsible for the Pittodrie players missing chances. For a time in the first half the Hearts' type of football threw the Dons off their balance, but after the interval the Dons were on top.

During the first twenty minutes after the resumption Johnstone, the Aberdeen goalkeeper, scarcely handled the ball. Hearts have to thank their defence for a division of the spoils.
Hearts' opening goal had an element of luck about it, the ball accidentally striking Currie on the leg and glancing past Johnstone. The best goal of the four came from Mortensen, who brushed past all opposition and scored with an unsaveable shot.
Twenty-five minutes after the interval Miller of I.T.C., put the homsters on the lead, all against the run of play. Again Mortensen came to the Dons' rescue with a cleverly headed goal from a Green cross. Until the end the Dons hammered the home defence, but could not get the winning goal.
No fault could be found with the play of Johnstone in the Aberdeen goal. Cooper had a grand first half, but no back excelled Bob Ancell. At half-back, the Aberdeen trio were superior to the home three. Collier played clever, constructive football throughout. Dunlop more than paid his way as pivot, but George Taylor was the best half-back on view.
Mortensen was the outstanding forward afield. Pattillo after he went to centre, gave the home defence no rest and was unfortunate with some of his efforts at goal. Gourlay never settled to his usual game, and Green and Dryden were quietly effective.
Stevenson, Hislop, Harvey, Hamilton and Miller were Hearts' best.

Source: Press & Journal, 6th September 1943