Niall McGinn’s late strike in Macedonia gave Aberdeen a crucial away goal in their Europa League opener – but the Dons could not hold on to the lead.
The Northern Ireland international arrived in the box at the perfect moment to meet Shay Logan’s low cross and net in the 79th minute of the first qualifying round first leg tie against Shkendija in Skopje.
Aberdeen had survived some tense moments in the second half as the home side improved significantly on the opening period, which the Dons controlled without cutting their hosts open.
But they failed to hold out and substitute Hristijan Kirovski sent a looping header over Danny Ward five minutes later to secure a 1-1 draw.
Shkendija were roared on by a passionate crowd despite playing 25 miles from their home town of Tetovo, in the vast Philip II national arena, where Scotland beat Macedonia two years ago.
Aberdeen handed debuts to on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Ward and former Inverness left-back Graeme Shinnie, who lined up in a three-man central midfield.
Wide man Jonny Hayes got the first effort on target following McGinn’s clever free-kick but could not get hold of the shot.
McGinn fired just wide from 25 yards and also sent a free-kick a yard over as Aberdeen dominated possession while lacking a cutting edge, unsurprisingly given the time of the year.
Ward was fully behind Victor Juffo’s shot in the 30th minute, the only time the home team threatened in the first half, and Shinnie was on the end of two poor challenges which resulted in yellow cards.
But Shkendija made a lively start to the second period with substitute Besart Ibraimi impressing, although only after slipping on a dangerous break.
Ibraimi saw a free-kick saved and came close with a header but Aberdeen were also creating chances with McGinn forcing a save from another long-range strike and Ash Taylor heading wide.
Former Ross County defender Paul Quinn came on for his debut after Mark Reynolds suffered a wrist injury and he was involved in a let-off for the Dons when his strong two-footed tackle inside the box on Stenio Junior went unpunished after Ward had somehow let a harmless loose ball trickle past him to put his side in danger.
And the Dons scored against the run of play when Shay Logan ran on to McGinn’s pass to cut the ball back for his team-mate to scuff home from 14 yards.
The lead did not last as Kirovski peeled away from Quinn 16 yards out to meet a right-wing cross and send it over Ward.
Quinn put in a great block as Aberdeen survived more pressure but they had the best late chances with Taylor heading over before McGinn forced a good save from 12 yards four minutes into injury-time.