Nardin Mulahusejnović heads Noah levelSNS

This was the first time Noah have played a Scottish side

At a glance

  • Aberdeen face tough task to progress in Conference League after disappointing draw

  • Kevin Nisbet puts Jimmy Thelin's side in front just before the break at Pittodrie

  • But a superb header from Nardin Mulahusejnovic dooms Dons to draw

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Aberdeen's hopes of European progression were all but ended with a disappointing draw against unheralded Armenian side FC Noah in the Conference League.

After four games the Scottish Cup winners have just two points and lie in 33rd spot, with their final two matches come against pre-tournament favourites Strasbourg and Czech side Sparta Prague.

This was arguably their best chance for a crucial three points and Jimmy Thelin acknowledged as much pre-match, calling it a "must-win" game.

At the half-time whistle, the victory looked on. At the end of a forgettable first-half, Kevin Nisbet swivelled and fired Aberdeen into the lead after hard work from Topi Keskinen set up the chance.

That did not last long.

Noah had barely threatened in the opening stages but they enjoyed large spells in the second half after scoring quickly through Nardin Mulahusejnovic's fantastic header.

That sucked any life out of Pittodrie, and at times Noah dominated the ball but struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Instead, the best opportunity to win it came to Aberdeen through substitute Nicolas Milanovic, but the Australian could only find the side netting when one-on-one.

Aberdeen, with a goal difference of minus seven, now lie three points adrift of a play-off position going into the final two games.

Analysis: Unbeaten in five but Aberdeen struggling for style and substance

It's been a month since Aberdeen lost a game of football, with two wins from their last five games.

While the victory over Hearts at the weekend didn't set the heather alight, it did suggest a new defensive solidity. The first half told the same story.

But Noah - currently sitting fifth in the Armenian top flight - were hungrier and more threatening in the second.

They brought Brazilian forward Matheus Aias on and it was he who got the assist for their goal, a fine cross from the right-hand side that allowed Mulahusejnovic to power a header beyond Mitov.

At the other end, the full-time whistle marked the eighth game in a row in which they failed to score two goals or more.

Leighton Clarkson stands with his hands on his kneesSNS

They're struggling to find that end product and yet again, it cost them. While Aberdeen had 10 attempts, only three were on target and fans vented their frustrations come the end of the game.

Perhaps they were right to.

This is a Noah side that finished 31st in the Conference League table last season, a side which has not won in their last three outings, a side who have flown almost 3500 miles and four time zones to scrap for a draw that they seemed to want more.

And at the moment, Aberdeen look devoid of ideas in attack other than trying to get the ball to Jesper Karlsson.

The Sweden international missed the win against Hearts through personal reasons, but was back on Thursday and up to his usual tricks.

However, there is a dire dearth of quality around him and he's struggling to carry the weight of responsibility for Aberdeen's attack.

What they said

Noah draw a 'missed opportunity' for Aberdeen - Devlin

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "I think the first half was okay, we did some parts good but lacked a little bit the last punch, that last bit of quality. But still we got the goal at a good time and everything felt good.

"They changed some things, played more directly. It was difficult to control that situation. Their link-up play was good, they played out of the pressing. It's more about the last part of the game.

"We stressed too much, played too much individually. When you play a lot of games and don't have time between the games, you have to stick to the basic parts so we can find each other."

What's next?

Aberdeen go to Livingston in Scottish Premiership action on Sunday 30 November (15:00 GMT).

Player of the match

N. Mulahusejnović
6.25
22 J. Milne
6.23
38 D. Lobban
6.12
5 M. Knoester
5.87
2 N. Devlin
5.78
17 J. Karlsson
5.54
1 D. Mitov
5.38
81 T. Keskinen
5.25
8 D. Polvara
5.19
15 K. Nisbet
5.10
7 A. Aouchiche
4.99
10 L. Clarkson
4.28
16 S. Armstrong
4.10
28 A. Jensen
4.00
27 M. Lazetić
3.88
4 G. Shinnie
3.66
11 N. Milanović
3.47
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