Falkirk earned a Scottish Cup replay against Aberdeen after twice coming from behind to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw.

These two sides could not be separated on league duty only seven days previously but the Dons looked to be heading into the fifth round after taking the lead twice through Jamie Smith and Steve Lovell in a remarkable opening 10 minutes.

However, Falkirk skipper Darren Barr's first equaliser was repeated by Spaniard Arnau Riera's header after the break to ensure these sides have it all to do again at Pittodrie on Tuesday week.

Both sides showed changes from their meeting the previous week, with visiting Aberdeen keeping their alterations down to a minimum as Lovell was drafted in for Derek Young to revert to a two-man strike force.

The switch brought immediate rewards as the Dons stormed into the lead after only three minutes.

Former Falkirk striker Lee Miller's header found strike partner Lovell, who in turn fed the supporting Barry Nicholson.

Nicholson managed to get his shot in despite a stumble but Tim Krul's parry fell perfectly for Smith to slot in the rebound.

If the goal was the dream opening for Aberdeen, Falkirk's response was perfect as they equalised barely a minute later.

Pedro Moutinho's right-wing corner saw skipper Barr timing his run to perfection to head in from six yards out via the underside of the crossbar.

However, the stunning action was not finished there, as Aberdeen amazingly regained the lead as the Falkirk defence again fell asleep in the 10th minute.

Miller turned well on Richie Byrne's throw-in and slipped a pass through to Lovell and the striker's cute touch directed the ball past the stranded Krul.

Despite the frenetic nature of the tie, Falkirk were determined to play their usual passing game and their patience almost brought a second equaliser but Jamie Langfield was equal to Riera's 16-yard shot.

Lovell hit the side-netting from a tight angle but Falkirk enjoyed a brief stranglehold on possession as the half wore on.

Falkirk began the second period in determined fashion as they looked to grab the lifeline of a second equaliser.

They probed and pushed to find a route past a determined Aberdeen defence but were restricted to a long-range effort from full-back Dean Holden and a tame Graham Barrett header.

Aberdeen came close to the third goal that would clinch victory when Smith's flag-kick from the left was nodded towards goal by Zander Diamond but Lovell's header back across the target slipped past.

Just as it looked as if Falkirk might be running out of ideas, manager John Hughes introduced Russell Latapy from the bench to add impetus to his side's attacking.

The veteran replacement fed Holden in space only for the full-back to spear his shot high and wide.

But the equaliser finally came in the 73rd minute as Carl Finnigan did the damage with a superb run down the right and when the former Newcastle man's cross came in Riera arrived to head in from eight yards out.

Finnigan almost won it four minutes from time but Langfield turned his powerful drive round the post.

Teams:

Falkirk Krul, Ross, Holden, Scobbie, Barr, Arfield (Latapy 69), Riera, McBride, Moutinho, Barrett,Finnigan.

Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Bradley, Aafjes, Milne.

Booked: Ross.

Goals: Barr 5, Riera 73.

Aberdeen Langfield, Mair, Byrne, Diamond, Severin, Nicholson, Jamie Smith, Foster, Clark, Lovell (Aluko 82), Miller (Young 74).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Considine, De Visscher.

Booked: Nicholson, Diamond.

Goals: Jamie Smith 4, Lovell 10.

Att: 5,798

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).