Aberdeen left it late as they defeated Luxembourgish minnows Fola Esch 3-1 in the Europa League first qualifying round at Pittodrie last night.
Shay Logan broke the deadlock after 67 minutes with an acrobatic finish but Fola captain Julien Klein netted what looked like being a valuable away goal three minutes later.
But Aberdeen scored a crucial second deep in injury time through Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn before Adam Rooney scored from the penalty spot to give the Dons a two goal advantage going into the second leg.
The teams will meet again at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg next Thursday with the winners of the tie facing either FK Ventspils of Latvia or Faroe Islands team Vikingur in the second qualifying round.
It was the first time Aberdeen had faced opposition from Luxembourg and this felt like a step into the unknown for Derek McInnes’ side. The Dons were expected to be too strong for a Fola Esch made up of a mixture of part-time players as well as a sprinkling of additions with international experience.
It was an intriguing team selection for the Dons with Joe Lewis preferred to Neil Alexander in goal, while Jayden Stockley started in attack with last season’s top scorer Adam Rooney on the bench.
Niall McGinn, who played in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 defeat at the European Championships, was also named in the Dons’ line-up.
It was an uncomfortable start for the Dons, who had a lucky escape with only five minutes elapsed when Mehdi Kirch played in Stefano Bensi and the forward’s shot cannoned back off the post.
There was little for the Dons support to get excited about in the early stages with the hosts struggling to break down a well-organised defence.
Aberdeen’s first shot on goal finally arrived after 21 minutes but Fola captain Julien Klein bravely blocked Ryan Jack’s goal-bound effort.
The Dons had a goal ruled out seven minutes later when Stockley nodded a Jonny Hayes free kick into the path of Ash Taylor, who blasted home, but the ball had already gone out for a goal kick.
Taylor again went close to opening the scoring within two minutes of the restart but his downward header from a McGinn corner was superbly kept out by Fola goalkeeper Thomas Hym.
A Stockley effort was cleared off the line before Hym made another fine stop from a well-struck McGinn free kick as Aberdeen upped the ante.
Rooney was brought on for Willo Flood after 55 minutes and the Irishman almost made an immediate impact, setting up McGinn who dragged his shot wide.
Rooney was denied by the post from close range before Aberdeen finally opened the scoring after 67 minutes.
A Niall McGinn corner created panic in the Fola penalty area with Logan acrobatically volleying home from close range to put the Dons ahead.
But the lead lasted only three minutes with Fola captain Julien Klein netting from eight yards out after sublime wing play by Emmanuel Francoise.
Taylor thought he had scored the winner for the Dons five minutes from time but the defender’s header was ruled out for a foul on Fola captain Klein.
But the Dons were not to be denied with McGinn slotting home a second with the aid of a deflection before substitute Rooney netted from the penalty spot after Bensi was penalised for handball.