Substitute Scott Muirhead spared the blushes of Aberdeen captain Russell
Anderson as he earned a Tennent's Scottish Cup fifth round replay against
Livingston.
Defender Anderson had gifted Livi a 51st-minute lead when he prodded the ball
past his own goalkeeper, David Preece.
But Muirhead unleashed a 30-yard drive six minutes later to keep the
quarter-final tie alive for the Pittodrie side.
However, the game was marred for the home side by an injury to defender
Alexander Diamond, who was carried off in the 13th minute after a clash of heads
with team-mate Markus Heikkinen to be replaced by Michael Hart.
But, after a poor opening spell, the game was briefly brought to life when
former Aberdeen player Jamie McAllister came close for the visitors, but
goalkeeper Preece made a good save from close range.
Aberdeen then won a series of corners, which culminated with Phil McGuire's
header from Scott Morrison's flag-kick, which was blocked on the line by Oscar
Rubio.
Livingston then had goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie to thank for keeping the scores
level after a great double save eight minutes before the interval.
Firstly, the former Hearts man made a superb block to deny Heikkinen from long
range and then got back to his feet to save a Bryan Prunty effort from six
yards, with Emmanuel Dorado finally clearing the danger.
Aberdeen's injury worries showed no signs of relenting and Steve Tosh was
replaced by Muirhead shortly before the break ater picking up a knock in a
challenge with Marvin Andrews.
The visitors rubbed salt in the wound when they took the lead six minutes
after the re-start thanks to Anderson, who sliced the ball past his own
goalkeeper despite being under no pressure.
Burton O'Brien found the lively David Fernandez on the wing and his first time
cross was diverted into net net by the defender.
However, within six minutes of the visitors taking the lead, Aberdeen levelled
when Muirhead smashed a 30-yard shot through a crowd of players into the corner
of the net.
Hart's cross was only partially cleared by Andrews and Muirhead took full
advantage to drill the ball past McKenzie, who saw the shot late.
Aberdeen thought they should have been awarded a penalty 10 minutes before the
end when McGuire's goal-bound header from a corner appeared to strike Rubio's
arm.
But referee Dougie McDonald waved play on to the frustration of the defender.
Derek Lilley had a chance to steal a win for Livi in the 89th minute when he
latched onto Fernandez's pass but Preece made a great block.
And, from O'Brien's corner, Andrews' header was cleared off the line by Chris
Clark.
Teams
Aberdeen Preece, McGuire, Anderson, Diamond (Hart 13),
Morrison, Tosh (Muirhead 38), Heikkinen, Clark, Hinds,
Prunty (Zdrilic 73), Foster.
Subs Not Used: Esson, Sheerin.
Goals: Muirhead 57.
Livingston McKenzie, McNamee, Rubio, Andrews, McAllister,
Dorado, Makel, Lovell, O'Brien, Lilley, Fernandez.
Subs Not Used: Main, Pasquinelli, McMenamin, McLaughlin,
Brittain.
Booked: Lovell, McAllister.
Goals: Anderson 51 og.
Att: 11,593
Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).
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