Aberdeen squeeze past Moldovans

Aberdeen survived a battling second half-display from Moldovan club Nistru Otaci to secure a goalless draw and clinch a place in the Uefa Cup.

The Dons, who held a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg of this qualifying tie thanks to Darren Mackie's goal, were forced to defend for long spells in the second half.

But they clung on to take their place in Friday's draw.

Aberdeen started nervously and were forced to weather the early storm at the Calaraseuca stadium which saw Nistru go close to opening the scoring after 15 minutes.

Striker Sergei Yanchuk found himself in space but his shot was saved by Aberdeen goalkeeper Peter Kjaer.

Ebbe Skovdahl's men began to impose themselves on the game the more the half drew on, however, and their first real chance came in the 35th minute when Derek Young cracked a 25-yard effort goalwards, only to see it saved by Sergei Dinov in the Nistru goal.

The pattern of play continued into the second half, with Derek Young again denied by Dinov with a shot from edge of the area five minutes into the second period.

Yanchuk began to look dangerous again as he forced Kjaer into another good save with a shot from a narrow angle eight yards out in the 73rd minute.

With the clock ticking towards 90 minutes, substitute Sergei Pogreban dribbled into the penalty area but his cross-shot flew wide.