Aberdeen are out of Europe with two games to spare, despite securing a valiant point in a 2-2 draw away to PAOK in Greece.
Barry Robson’s side arrived in Greece off the back of two wins, eager to seek revenge for their dramatic loss at the hands of PAOK at Pittodrie two weeks ago.
The visitors started in the same vein as in the reverse fixture and raced into a lead when Duk opened the scoring after 14 minutes. The forward – in for Hampden semi-final hero Bojan Miovski – picked up Nicky Devlin’s ball in the box before expertly spinning and finishing from close range.
Unlike the last meeting between the side, the Dons were unable to add a second before PAOK were back level. Veteran forward Taison stroked the ball home from the edge of the area midway through the half as the sides went into the break level.
It looked as though history was to repeat itself when PAOK turned the game around and took the lead on on 67 minutes. Substitute Mbwana Samatta glanced home a header inside the area after a sustained period of pressure from the home side.
Barry Robson’s side refused to capitulate however and three minutes later they has drawn back level after a moment of quality from Jamie McGrath. The Republic of Ireland midfielder unleashed a venomous free kick all of 25 yards out which had enough power to beat Dominik Kotarski in the PAOK goal.
The hosts thought they had won a penalty in the 74th minute but VAR had shown that Koulierakis had gone down without receiving any contact. The Greek side continued to press as the game wore on, with Stefan Schwab spurning a glorious headed chance, but Aberdeen held on for a point – a highlight in a campaign which sees them eliminated from Europe with two games to spare.
