Aberdeen suffer narrow 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk despite brave UEFA Conference League performance

Aberdeen were edged out 3-2 by Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League but gave their fans some much-needed encouragement with a brave display at Pittodrie.

Jesper Karlsson put the home side into a shock lead from the penalty spot after just six minutes, but the visitors deservedly drew level through Yehor Nazaryna before the break.

Goals early in the second half from Lucas Ferreira and Pedro Henrique had the visitors in front, but Nicky Devlin’s header set up a nailbiting finale.

The sides could not have gone into the match in more different form, with the Dons sat bottom of the William Hill Premiership without a league goal and a solitary point from six matches.

Shakhtar, meanwhile, are unbeaten over 90 minutes this term, and lead the Ukrainian Premier League by two points over Dynamo Kiev.

The home men started brightly, forcing an early corner from which Shakhtar striker Kaua Elias inexplicably raised an arm to nudge out of play. Referee Duje Strukan was called over to view a VAR replay and was always going to give a penalty.

Karlsson had taken the initial corner and he stepped up for the spot-kick, firing into the bottom-left corner, just out of reach of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk, who dived the correct way.

Riznyk sent a clearance a minute later straight to the feet of Leighton Clarkson, but his rushed shot was well wide of the target.

The visitors were unlucky not to level when centre-back Valeriy Bondar placed a shot just wide from a Nazaryna corner at the quarter-hour.

Marko Lazetic forced a save from Riznyk with a quick change of feet, but the visitors were settling into the game and forcing the Dons back.

Another Nazaryna corner saw Marlon Gomes head narrowly over, but the home side failed to heed the warnings.

Another delivery from the same man was initially punched clear by Dimitar Mitov. Pedrinho swung the ball back across and despite Stuart Armstrong’s touch, the ball fell back to Nazaryna who sent a sweet strike in off the far post to level.

And the visitors would net two further goals in quick succession after half-time.

Ferreira put his side in front with a simple back-post header after Gomes crossed from the left, having drifted off the back of Topi Keskinen.

The home side responded with a brief spell of pressure but the visitors soon added another to their tally.

Starting from the goalkeeper, they strung together 23 passes, culminating in Pedrinho’s switch being knocked down by Gomes for Henrique to lash home from 10 yards.

Just when it seemed Aberdeen were down and out, they found a way back into the game.

Mats Knoesters’ long throw found Lazetic who, on the turn, forced a superb reaction stop from Riznyk, but Devlin was first to react to head home a second Dons goal.

The Dons ended with three strikers on the pitch, but could not find a way past the visitors defence for a leveller.