Aberdeen 1 St Johnstone 1: Ferguson rescues point for Dons in first game since Glass’ sacking
THEY hit a Glass ceiling under their sacked boss.
But under Barry Robson Aberdeen showed they still have the bottle to climb back up the table after all.
Aberdeen looked destined for yet another dispiriting loss when they trailed early to St Johnstone.
But Lewis Ferguson, the man some fans turned on after Saturday’s loss to Motherwell, rescued a point here from the spot.
In doing so he shattered Saints hopes of climbing off the bottom of the table.
The Verdict
Aberdeen: Lewis 6, Mackenzie 4 (Montgomery 51, 3), Gallagher 3 (Besuijen 45, 3), Bates 6, Ramsay 7, Brown 4 (Ojo 64, 3), Ferguson 6, Kennedy 5 (Emmanuel-Thomas 72, 2), Barron 7 (STAR MAN), Hayes 7, Ramirez 6
St Johnstone: Clark 4 (Parish 41, 5) , Brown 6, Gordon 7, McCart 7, Crawford 6, Booth 6, Cleary 6, Butterfield 5, Hallberg 6 (Gallacher 72, 2) , Hendry 6 (May 59, 3), Middleton 7
He also bought chairman Dave Cormack some precious time as he goes through the process of finding a new man.
And in the meantime Robson got enough out of his players to suggest the move to empty Glass was the right one.
The interim boss wasted no time in making FIVE changes to the side that cost Glass his job at Fir Park.
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Joe Lewis was back in goal after illness and Calvin Ramsay and Jack McKenzie both came in.
Winger Matt Kennedy returned and teenager Connor Barron was given his first start in midfield.
Callum Booth was one of four Saints changes with James Brown, Jacob Butterfield and Melker Hallberg also back in.
And it was Davidson’s side who moved ahead with just six minutes on the clock.
Glenn Middleton robbed Jonny Hayes on the Saints left and headed for the area.
He cut inside and fired in a low effort that Lewis could only parry.
Ali Crawford was following up and his goalbound effort was also blocked.
But Hendry, who was on loan at the Dons last season, was there to turn the ball home.
It was the worst possible start for the men in red given their recent run of form.
And to make matters worse Ferguson was BOOED by his own fans when he touched the ball.
That was in response to his reaction to things said as he walked off at Fir Park at the weekend.
But rather than feel sorry for themselves the Dons dug in and created chances as the half wore on.
Barron missed his kick in front of goal after Hayes had a header charged down.
Zander Clark then turned a dipping Scott Brown shot from distance onto his crossbar.
Clark made another terrific stop to deny Hayes after good play from Barron on the right.
The youngster was justifying Robson’s faith in him with a number of nice touches.
The problem for the home side was that Saints were happy to sit in having got the lead.
And the Perth side looked a threat whenever they had the chance to hit on the break.
David Bates stepped in to deny Hendry after more good play from Middleton down the right.
At the other end Clark turned a Ferguson shot out for a corner in the 37th minute.
Barron curled an effort narrowly wide of Clark’s right post two minutes later.
But the keeper, who had required treatment moments earlier, stayed down on the ground.
And he made way for Elliot Parish four minutes before the break.
Christian Ramirez tried to test the new man straight away but his shot flew just wide.
Ferguson then did with the last effort of the half but his shot was straight at the sub keeper.
Robson made an attacking switch at the break with Vicente Besuijen replacing Declan Gallagher.
That saw skipper Brown move to centre-back alongside Bates.
And Adam Montgomery replaced McKenzie in the 51st minute.
Dan Cleary was shown the game’s first yellow card for clattering the on-loan Celt.
And Jacob Butterfield was next to be carded for a pull on Besuijen.
The Dons’ cause, however, wasn’t helped when Brown hobbled off just after the hour.
But his replacement proved to be key in getting them back into the game in the 70th minute.
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Funso Ojo’s ball picked out Calvin Ramsay who was clipped by Callum Booth as he raced into the area.
Ref Gavin Duncan pointed to the spot without any hesitation.
And Ferguson shrugged off the earlier jeers to send Parish the wrong way to level the game.
Besuijen had the ball in the net in the 76th minute but the flag had already gone up.
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Ferguson headed wide in injury time from Ramsay’s deep cross to the back post.
And Parish made a stunning late stop to deny Ramirez, keeping out the striker’s header.
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