A Snelders push costs Dons point

GRAEME SMITH

5 Feb 1990

Aberdeen 2, Hearts 2

A SHARE of the points in this hard-fought and entertaining game was probably just about right but neither team now has much chance of catching Rangers who have a seven-point lead at the top of the league.

"We will just have to hope things turn around for us," said Aberdeen manager Alex Smith but he admitted: "We are running out of games now."

Aberdeen's title hopes took a battering when they lost a string of their most influential players through injury when they were sitting at the top of the table at the end of last year.

Yesterday they welcomed back two of those, Dutch duo Theo Snelders and striker Hans Gillhaus.

Snelders showed no ill effects from his seven-match lay-off although Alex McLeish took the place kicks to save strain on the knee which required an operation.

After an uncharacteristic blunder when he threw the ball to young defender Ian Robertson, almost giving John Robertson a scoring opportunity, he settled down to being his old self.

The keeper had no chance of stopping Hearts' first goal which came from a 20-yard strike by Jim Sandison.

McLeish had stretched to clear a loose ball in the box and failed to get it cleanly.

Sandison ran in and beat Ian Robertson to the ball before shooting into the net.

Two minutes later, however, the Dons were back on level terms.

A Brian Grant lob was nodded down by van der Ark and as Gillhaus moved in to the six-yard box to finish it off he was taken down from behind by Kidd.

Aberdeen were awarded a penalty and Charlie Nicholas, who had excellent spells during the game, sent Smith the wrong way.

Hearts should have taken control when Robertson set up Colquhoun with an inspirational back heeler but a good save by Snelders stopped the shot.

On the half-time whistle McLeish sent Nicholas down the left wing.

He turned in, rounded Levein, and put Aberdeen into the lead with a marvellous goal.

Aberdeen dominated the second half and two points seemed secure until seven minutes from time when Hearts had two corners.

As Bannon crossed the ball Snelders pushed Scott Crabbe, who was blocking his route to the ball, and a penatly was awarded.

The normally calm Snelders was so annoyed he threw the ball away and earned himself a booking.

Snelders stunned John Robertson with a magnificent save but substitute Iain Ferguson rushed in to score from the rebound and do a favour for his former team-mates at Ibrox.

With only two minutes to go Walter Kidd, who had been involved in several niggling incidents, was sent off -- but not for an infringement on a player.

He had handled the ball, apparently did not hear the whistle, and played on.

Having been booked earlier and unable to convince the referee that he had not heard the whistle, he was shown the red card.

It would have been nice to hear the managers' observations and interpretations of some of the controversial incidents, and they would have undoubtedly liked to give them -- but then what manager can afford a hefty fine for expressing a different opinion to the referee?

ABERDEEN -- Snelders, McKimmie, I Robertson, Grant, McLeish, Irvine, Nicholas, Watson, Gillhaus, Connor, van der Ark.

Substitutes -- C Robertson, I Cameron.

HEARTS -- Smith, Kidd, McKinlay, Levein, McCreery, McPherson, Colquhoun, Sandison, Robertson, Crabbe, Bannon.

Substitutes -- McKay, Ferguson.

Referee -- J McCluskey (Stewarton).