Aberdeen survived a brief scare to qualify for the third round of Europa League qualifiers with a 5-2 aggregate victory over HNK Rijeka this evening.
Derek McInnes's side brought a healthy 3-0 first-leg lead into tonight's second leg in Scotland, but quickfire second-half goals from Marin Tomasov and Zoran Kvrzic raised anxiety levels inside Pittodrie.
However, Niall McGinn provided an instant riposte, before Johnny Hayes equalised to make it 2-2 on the night as the Scottish Premiership outfit eased through.
The Croatian outfit provided little substance to theories that they were capable of producing the minor miracle needed, as the Dons dominated the opening half.
On 33 minutes, the hosts almost went ahead as Kenny McLean was agonisingly close to sliding home Hayes's teasing cross at the back post.
The clash exploded into life in and around the hour mark, when Rijeka netted twice in the space of five minutes to restore belief that a remarkable turnaround was possible.
First, Tomasov, who missed two gilt-edged chances in the first leg, redeemed himself somewhat on 58 minutes, before Kvrzic made it two shortly after with a deflected long-range effort to worry home fans and players alike.
However, McGinn dashed the visitors' hopes by netting via the post moments later, while Hayes put the tie to bed on 72 minutes as the Dons progressed.
Shane Callaghan
