Draw was a sore point for Caley
IAIN VIGURS’ stunning strike earned Caley Thistle a point at Pittodrie but Richie Foran reckons it was two points dropped as Aberdeen were there for the taking.
Niall McGinn shot the Dons into a second-half lead after a dismal first 45 minutes in what was developing into a bruising battle.
It looked like the home side would go on to register only their second league win of the season but Vigurs levelled with a sublime top drawer effort.
The midfielder capped a terrific allround performance with a shot that fizzed into the top corner from the edge of the area.
That was enough to move the Highlanders off the foot of the table but their manager was far from happy with the end result.
Foran fumed: “We created a lot of chances and I thought Aberdeen were there for the taking.
“We were magnificent at the back but attacking wise that’s the poorest we’ve been in the final third.
“I didn’t see the goal coming, we had no imagination in the final third and were bang average there.
“Before the game you would have taken a point but we should have sensed Aberdeen were there for the taking.
“Maybe I’ll think differently on Monday but we created chances and there was a lot of space.”
It was a day of frustration for the rookie manager who was under pressure after losing his first three league games and he was equally unimpressed by referee Crawford Allan.
In fact Foran was invited into the officials’ dressing room for talks at half-time after complaining about first-half bookings for Greg Tansey, Carl Tremarco and Billy King.
His assistant Brian Rice got a touchline dressing down by Crawford after Niall McGinn shot Aberdeen ahead in 52 minutes.
Liam Polworth was flat out on the deck after a challenge by Wes Burns but play was waved on and McGinn curled in his fourth of the season from 30 yards.
Gary Warren was booked for his complaints but at least it brought some life to a game that was uneventful to say the least in the first half.
Foran added: “Credit to the referee, he
took me into his room at half-time for a chat so I have respect for him.
“It would have been easy for him to push me away, some other refs might have done that but maybe he knew he’d made a mistake.
“I just want referees to be fair to us. I don’t want people booked or sent off.”
Aberdeen lost Graeme Shinnie to a foot injury in the first-half but on-loan Norwich City teenager James Maddison proved a more-than-adequate replacement.
The midfielder was a constant threat with his movement and touch and very nearly carved out a late winner only to be denied by the Caley keeper.
Burns and Rooney also had chances to win it but when the dust settled a team who started last season with eight straight wins have managed one in five this time.
The Dons boss said: “We’ve dropped points in two home games and that’s why we’ve had a slower start than normal.
“We have still to find our rhythm so we have to make sure we’re better next time out, especially at Pittodrie.
“It is coming into a busy period, there’s a lot to look forward to.”