First Leg Draw For McInnes’s Dons
- Aberdeen draw 1-1 with Slovenian side Maribor in Europa League
- Late Hayes goal levels tie
- McInnes bullish ahead of return leg
Jonny Hayes celebrates scoring for Aberdeen
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes watched Jonny Hayes score a late equaliser to save his side from a first leg defeat- then declared himself confident ahead of the return leg.
The Dons looked the better side for much of the match against their dangerous Slovenian opponents, who beat Celtic in a Champions League play-off two years ago, but couldn't turn their chances into goals.
Disaster struck for the Pittodrie when experienced Slovenian international Milivoje Novakovic capitalised on a defensive slip to put the visitors 1-0 up after 83 mintues.
Aberdeen, however, have made a habit of scoring late goals in this year's European campaign and weren't to be denied. Irishman Hayes slotted in a crucial equaliser with two minutes remaining.
While the away goal puts Maribor in good position ahead of next week's return leg McInnes refused to be disheartened at full-time:
"There's no doubt Maribor are in a stronger position but we can score over there.
"I have no doubt we can go on to win this tie - it's still alive for us. .
"We scored in Groningen and we scored against Rijeka so we can do it.
"We caused Maribor a lot of problems, took the game to them, rattled them and should have made more of the chances.
"We know we can get to them - and they know we can get to them"
First Leg Draw For McInnes’s Dons
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