DONS boss Craig Brown admitted St Mirren had been the better side - but the Aberdeen manager praised his team after they came from behind to snatch a draw and a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay.
Saints had several chances to add to Paul McGowan's 77th-minute opener, but Rory McArdle scrambled home an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage-time to rescue a 1-1 draw.
"The players are very determined, they are a better fightback team than they are when they're in front," Brown said. "We said that at half-time, we don't want a fightback. But I saw St Mirren lose to Celtic and Hibs in stoppage-time and I said `if we're still in the game towards the end, I don't know if they lose concentration here or whatever, there is always an opportunity`."
The Aberdeen boss praised Northern Ireland defender McArdle, who came on in the 13th minute after David McNamee suffered a hamstring injury.
"No-one deserves a goal better than McArdle," Brown said. "His attitude to football is exceptional. He just wants to train and play. If you leave him out the team, he is still enthusiastic.
"They talk about the cliche the model pro, well if you're looking for a model pro it's Rory McArdle, and his pal (Scott) Vernon is the same. They might be playing badly but they give it everything so it's great for Rory to get that goal."
Source: PA
Source: PA