An Arild Stavrum penalty ensured a share of the points for Aberdeen at Dens Park despite a dramatic fightback by Dundee.

Ivano Bonetti's men took all three points against Kilmarnock last week after being 2-0 down and looked like repeating that after Alex di Rocco had given the visitors the lead.

Goals from Beto Carranza and Juan Sara propelled Dundee ahead but referee Alan Freeland awarded a spotkick a few minutes later which Stavrum duly converted to earn the Dons a draw.

It took Aberdeen just one minute to break down the Dundee defence. Stavrum burst clear into the 18 yard box before firing a shot that looked netbound until Steven Tweed's goal-line clearance.

But the Dens Park side retaliated two minutes later when Carranza's pass found Claudio Caniggia.

The Argentinian hitman turned the Dons defence before unleashing a shot but the effort was held by goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

But the breakthrough came after 12 minutes when Thomas Solberg tried to send the ball through to di Rocco but was blocked by Tweed. The Dundee player miskicked and di Rocco pounced to slot the opener past goalkeeper Marco Roccati.

Aberdeen were visibly boosted by di Rocco's goal and continued to push forward in a bid to increase their lead.

Robbie Winter's cross found Stavrum after 20 minutes but the Dons striker's header was just wide.

Six minutes later Stavrum was threatening the Dundee goal again. This time he picked up a di Rocco cross only to send the ball over the crossbar.

On the half hour mark Sara saw a close-range shot blacked by the goalkeeper and Caniggia almost managed to nod home the rebound.

But the Argentinian claimed he had been fouled by Solberg and was eventually booked for his protests.

In the 36th minute the combination of Caniggia and Sara was causing problems for Aberdeen again. Cannigia's cross pinpointed Sara in front of goal but he nodded off target.

Just a few minutes later Sara had another great chance to draw level but this time he sent the ball wide.

Stavrum had proved to be menacing for Aberdeen and his lob was just cleared off the goal-line and turned past the post by Tweed in the 53rd minute.

But Dundee fought their way back into the game on the hour mark. Marcello Marrocco's cross was laid off to Carranza by Sara before Carranza smashed home the equaliser.

Eight minutes later Aberdeen thought they had reclaimed their lead, Andy Dow's long ball found Stavrum who nodded past Roccati but the goal was judged to have been offside.

In 70 minutes it was Dundee who had the ball in the net. Carranza turned McAllister before picking out Sara who nodded past Esson.

But just three minutes later the referee pointed to the penalty spot when he ruled that Barry Smith had fouled di Rocco inside the area.

Stavrum stepped up to convert the penalty and Sara's name was added to the referee's book for complaining about his decision to award the spot kick.

Six minutes from time goalkeeper Esson came to the rescue for the Dons when he produced a superb double save to deny Shaun McSkimming and Caniggia.

Dundee: Roccati, Smith, de Marchi, Tweed, Marrocco, Artero (McSkimming 70), Nemsadze, Rae, Carranza, Caniggia, Sara (Milne 86).

Subs Not Used: Langfield, Yates, Chris Coyne.

Booked: Caniggia, Tweed, Smith, Sara, Rae.

Goals: Carranza 59, Sara 71.

Aberdeen: Esson, Solberg, McGuire, Whyte, Di Rocco (Belabed 89), Rowson, Derek Young, Clark (Dow 46), McAllister, Winters, Stavrum.

Subs Not Used: Preece, Lilley, Mackie.

Booked: McAllister.

Goals: Di Rocco 15, Stavrum 74 pen.

Att: 9,093

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).