Ten-man Dundee held on at Aberdeen to earn a Tennents Scottish Cup replay at Dens Park after a goalless draw at Pittodrie.

The teams had been equally matched until the 53rd minute when Mark Fotheringham was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

But the Dark Blues held on to gain a second chance at Dens Park.

The two sides had shared early chances with Steve Tosh and Lee Wilkie both going close.

Then, Nacho Novo danced beyond several Aberdeen defenders on the by-line after 20 minutes but his driven cross was intercepted by Russell Anderson.

The Dons put together a good passing move and Chris Clark cut inside his marker to hit a shot from 25 yards out which failed to trouble Julian Speroni.

But Dundee should have gone ahead on 29 minutes.

The visitors broke at pace, Novo drew Alexander Diamond before slipping the ball through to Duncan McLean.

But, with only Preece to beat, the striker screwed his effort wide from 12 yards.

Novo again looked lively when he turned away from Diamond but his drive lacked composure as it flew well over the bar.

Aberdeen broke down the left in the 38th minute as Richard Foster picked out Clark, who ran at Wilkie before cutting the ball back across the area but Jonay Hernandez was again on hand to clear the danger.

But, in the final minute of the half, Fotheringham was cautioned for a foul on Clark.

Dundee had loud appeals for a penalty in the 48th minute when Novo went down under the challenge of Markus Heikkinen but referee John Underhill allowed play to continue.

However, Dundee boss Jim Duffy was left raging on the touchline in the 53rd minute when Fotheringham went in high and very late on Foster, leaving the referee with no alternative but to give the midfielder his second yellow card.

Foster was unable to continue and was replaced by Scott Muirhead.

To their credit, Dundee still pressed forward, with Wilkie advancing to the edge of the Dons' box but his shot failed to trouble Preece.

Indecision by Dons defenders Diamond and Anderson saw Novo latch on to a Barry Smith toe-poke, but the diminutive striker could not get enough power on his 20-yard shot and Preece gathered comfortably.

The Dons nearly fell to the same combination a minute later when it took a last-gasp challenge by Diamond on Novo to save the day for the home side.

In the 79th minute, a Scott Morrison corner was punched clear by Speroni as the Dons chased a winner.

Teams

Aberdeen Preece, Rutkiewicz, Anderson, Diamond, Morrison, Tosh, Heikkinen (Sheerin 78), Clark, Hinds (Zdrilic 64), Booth, Foster (Muirhead 53).

Subs Not Used: Esson, McGuire.

Booked: Heikkinen.

Dundee Speroni, Mackay, Mair, Wilkie, Hernandez Santos, Smith, Brady, Fotheringham, Robb, Novo (Jablonski 88), McLean (Sancho 66).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, McDonald, Cameron.

Sent Off: Fotheringham (53).

Booked: Smith, Fotheringham, McLean, Robb.

Att: 11,012

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).