Aberdeen 2 - 2 Arbroath

Dons will have to fight hard if they are to remain leaders of the North-Eastern League. They dropped a point at home to Arbroath on Saturday, and are now only one point ahead of Dundee, although they still have a match in hand.

The Dons were not a happy combination against the Angus team. There was a lack of unison in their ranks, and the fact that their opponents led by two clear goals before they opened their account indicates clearly that the defence in the opening stages was far from reliable. It is true that there was improvement as the game progressed, but that improvement was not good enough to bring about victory.
The half-backs and forwards did not combine at all well, and the passing of the middle men was at times very erratic. The forwards were a very moderate lot. They had chances, too, but did not take them. Waldron, Russell, Green and Miller were badly missed.
Johnstone might have saved the second goal. Cooper, after a shaky opening, was the better back. It was the poorest display the half-backs have given for a long time. Frank Dunlop has settled down to the right half position. Nicholson was a success in a purely defensive role, but Taylor did not seem too sound.
Dyer was always a trier, but failed to hold the line together. Pattillo was the better inside forward, but when he went to centre he did not get support. Bremner was slow, and was rather easily brushed aside. The junior at outside left created a good impression.
Arbroath worked better together than the Dons. Brownlee was a very sound goalkeeper. Fordyce's experience was invaluable and Junior at left back is a player of promise. The Gayfleld team was strong at half-back. Shirley was an enterprising leader, and Ferguson did a lot of useful work at inside left. Robertson and Hilton were clever on the wings.

Source: Press & Journal, 5th March 1945