A “horrendous” penalty decision prevented St Johnstone moving off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership, said manager Callum Davidson, after the draw with managerless Aberdeen.
Lewis Ferguson levelled with a second-half spot-kick for the hosts after Callum Booth was adjudged to have clipped Calvin Ramsay.
St Johnstone led early on through Callum Hendry.
“Conceding these really soft penalties is so frustrating,” said Davidson.
“I’m really pleased with how the players reacted to a horrendous decision.
“We probably let it affect us against St Mirren when we had a horrendous one against us there too.”
Aberdeen, with Barry Robson taking interim charge for the first game since Stephen Glass’ exit, move up a place to eighth but are six matches without victory.
St Johnstone stay bottom and now trail Dundee by a point having played a game more.
“We’re Aberdeen, we’ll fight back,” was the message from Robson before kick-off. His side had to try to walk the walk after going behind after only six minutes.
Glenn Middleton, who ruffled Aberdeen feathers all evening, stole the ball off Jonny Hayes and drove at goal. His shot didn’t match the run, but Joe Lewis could only parry out to Hendry who tucked it home.
Aberdeen roared back for the remainder of the first half, but it was more bark than bite.
Scott Brown nicked the bar with a thunderous volley, Hayes flashed an effort at goalkeeper Zander Clark, and the impressive Connor Barron also went close with a curling effort on his first start.
As well as weathering the Aberdeen storm, St Johnstone had to deal with the loss of Clark, who tried to carry on after an apparent calf injury but had to be replaced.
Injuries would play a part for both sides. Aberdeen’s Declan Gallagher was replaced at half-time, with Brown shuffled back to cover in the centre of defence.
That jaunt did not last long as the Aberdeen captain went off holding his hamstring just after the hour with Funso Ojo coming on to play his part in Aberdeen’s patchwork defence.
After losing one key man, St Johnstone were dealt another blow when Hendry departed injured on the hour.
Aberdeen’s impetus had waned until referee Gavin Duncan pointed to the spot. Booth caught Ramsay’s heels, then challenged him clumsily again – this time inside the box – and while contact looked minimal, the penalty was given.
Ferguson, who has never missed a spot-kick, made no mistake.
Aberdeen could have compounded the visitors’ anger further, but substitute goalkeeper Elliot Parish made a fine point-blank stop from Christian Ramirez’s stoppage-time header.
Man of the Match – Glenn Middleton
What did we learn?
Aberdeen dominated possession but mostly only troubled the Saints’ goal with efforts from distance. When their goal finally did come it probably was merited, but they need much more clinical performances if they are to achieve a top-six finish.
Barron in midfield is a welcome addition for Robson – and whoever the new manager will be – but Ramirez needed more service on a night where the hosts probably could have nicked a win.
St Johnstone fans might be wondering why their club Hendry depart in the summer for a six-month spell at Kilmarnock.
He now has three goals in five games, making him the most potent striker at the club. However, when he hobbled off after an hour, Callum Davidson’s heart must have sunk.
The St Johnstone manager has complained about refereeing decisions a few times of late. The manner of Aberdeen’s equaliser will have done little to ease his frustration.
What did they say?
Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson: “We got caught trying to play a bit cuter and clever in the first half, but we still had two or three great chances. Second half we totally controlled the game.
“We’re frustrated not to win. What I have found out is the players are willing to work and willing to try and win. And on another day we could have scored a right few goals.”
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: “The players gave me everything they had. We had to make four changes in the game through injuries and the players dealt with it really well.
“First half we came in not quite knowing what to expect, I thought we were the better side. Second half we didn’t play quite as well.
What’s next?
Aberdeen head back to Fir Park to take on Motherwell this Saturday, a week after their cup exit spelled the end of Glass’ tenure, while St Johnstone host Hearts (both 15:00 GMT).
Player of the match
BarronConnor Barron
Aberdeen
-
Squad number29Player nameBarronAverage rating
7.58
-
Squad number19Player nameFergusonAverage rating
6.45
-
Squad number22Player nameRamsay
Average rating6.01
-
Squad number10Player nameBesuijen
Average rating5.71
-
Squad number17Player nameHayes
Average rating5.70
-
Squad number9Player nameRamírez
Average rating5.51
-
Squad number1Player nameLewis
Average rating5.49
-
Squad number8Player nameBrown
Average rating4.98
-
Squad number11Player nameMontgomery
Average rating4.80
-
Squad number5Player nameGallagher
Average rating4.70
-
Squad number27Player nameBates
Average rating4.69
-
Squad number16Player nameOjo
Average rating4.68
-
Squad number33Player nameKennedy
Average rating4.66
-
Squad number3Player nameMacKenzie
Average rating4.45
-
Squad number14Player nameEmmanuel-Thomas
Average rating4.29
St Johnstone
-
Squad number1Player nameClark
Average rating5.68
-
Squad number12Player nameParish
Average rating5.58
-
Squad number14Player nameMiddleton
Average rating5.33
-
Squad number22Player nameHendry
Average rating5.27
-
Squad number21Player nameCrawford
Average rating5.15
-
Squad number6Player nameGordon
Average rating5.06
-
Squad number5Player nameCleary
Average rating4.97
-
Squad number4Player nameMcCart
Average rating4.88
-
Squad number34Player nameButterfield
Average rating4.87
-
Squad number2Player nameBrown
Average rating4.83
-
Squad number29Player nameHallberg
Average rating4.73
-
Squad number24Player nameBooth
Average rating4.61
-
Squad number7Player nameMay
Average rating3.91
-
Squad number26Player nameCraig
Average rating3.84
-
Squad number3Player nameGallacher
Average rating3.84
Line-ups
Aberdeen
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Lewis
- 22Ramsay
- 5GallagherSubstituted forBesuijenat 45′minutes
- 27BatesBooked at 57mins
- 3MacKenzieSubstituted forMontgomeryat 52′minutes
- 29Barron
- 8BrownSubstituted forOjoat 65′minutes
- 33KennedySubstituted forEmmanuel-Thomasat 74′minutes
- 19Ferguson
- 17Hayes
- 9Ramírez
Substitutes
- 10Besuijen
- 11Montgomery
- 14Emmanuel-Thomas
- 15McGeouch
- 16Ojo
- 18McLennan
- 20Jenks
- 25Woods
- 28Ruth
St Johnstone
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1ClarkSubstituted forParishat 42′minutes
- 5ClearyBooked at 54mins
- 6Gordon
- 4McCart
- 2Brown
- 29HallbergSubstituted forGallacherat 74′minutes
- 34ButterfieldBooked at 60mins
- 24BoothSubstituted forCraigat 74′minutes
- 14Middleton
- 21Crawford
- 22HendrySubstituted forMayat 61′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gallacher
- 7May
- 12Parish
- 15Gilmour
- 16Mahon
- 17Bair
- 26Craig
- 27Sang
- 33Hector-Ingram
- Referee:
- Gavin Duncan
- Attendance:
- 12,973
Match Stats
Live Text
-
Match ends, Aberdeen 1, St. Johnstone 1.
-
Second Half ends, Aberdeen 1, St. Johnstone 1.
-
Attempt saved. Christian Ramírez (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Lewis Ferguson.
-
Attempt missed. Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Calvin Ramsay with a cross following a corner.
-
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Tony Gallacher.
-
Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by James Brown (St. Johnstone).
-
Attempt missed. Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) header from very close range is close, but misses the top left corner. Assisted by Calvin Ramsay with a cross.
-
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Glenn Middleton.
-
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Stevie May (St. Johnstone).
-
Foul by Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen).
-
Daniel Cleary (St. Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Attempt missed. Glenn Middleton (St. Johnstone) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jacob Butterfield.
-
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Stevie May (St. Johnstone).
-
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.
-
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by David Bates.
-
Attempt blocked. Glenn Middleton (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Craig.
-
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
