SAD DONS HAVE A SORE BOTTOM
Campaign not good enough says caretaker 0
BOJAN MIOVSKI was denied a late winner by VAR as Aberdeen had to settle for a draw.
And Livingston clawed a point back at the bottom on Ross County to give themselves a glimmer of hope of beating the drop.
Livi are now nine points behind with six left to play.
This was the Dons’ second goalless draw in a row in West Lothian after repeating the scoreline in the first league game of the season.
They moved seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot although their slim hopes of a top-six place are gone.
But they were frustrated on a largely forgettable afternoon when top scorer Miovski was denied a late winner after VAR official Matthew MacDermid ruled out his strike because team-mate Angus MacDonald was offside.
Defeat would have been harsh on the hosts who deserved a draw with David Martindale’s side having seven out injured and only able to name four outfield subs.
Dons caretaker boss Peter Leven admitted bottom half isn’t good enough.
He said: “Bottom six is not what we wanted from the season. It’s difficult. We are in this situation and it’s my job now to get us as many points as we can and to finish as high up the table as possible.
“I thought we’d won it at the end. I’ve not seen the proper angle but Angus thought he was onside. It’s a sickener.
“It’s a great finish. But I felt we didn’t do enough in the final third to really put pressure on their goal.
“It’s two points dropped. You don’t get the goal in the last minute but I’m delighted with the clean sheet. That’s really important. If we can’t win, we don’t lose.
“We are home next week so we are looking for three points there. I’ve always said if they need me I am available, I will take charge if need be but I am taking it day by day.”
Aberdeen should have been a goal down inside two minutes when Stephen Bradley headed Michael Nottingham’s cross wide from ten yards out unmarked.
But normally deadly Miovski missed a glorious chance to hand Aberdeen a 20th-minute lead when he was sent clean through by a pass from Leighton Clarkson.
Miovski was one-on-one with keeper Shamal George, but instead of rounding him, he tried a dink that was smothered by the keeper.
Dons went for it at the start of the second half but Jamie McGrath’s free-kick was saved.
Then McGrath floated in a cross after the break that got caught up in the wind and deceived George, who was relieved when it rebounded off the woodwork.
Graeme Shinnie also hit the woodwork with a cross as the visitors used the wind to their advantage.
Aberdeen thought they had snatched it with a minute left when Miovski lashed in after Stefan Gartenmann’s header was saved – but a lengthy VAR check ruled that MacDonald was offside.
A draw was the fair result.