ABERDEEN restored some much needed pride back into Scottish football after Greg Stewart and Gary Mackay-Steven netted late goals to send Derek McInnes' side into the third qualifying round of the Europa League for the fourth year in a row.

Aberdeen had it all to do in the sweltering conditions in the Balkans after last week's disappointing 1-1 first leg draw at Pittodrie.

It looked like Aberdeen were going out on away goals as they struggled to break down the determined, but limited home side.

And although they were a long, long way from their best, they persevered and got their rewards through Stewart and Mackay-Steven, with on-loan Celtic star Ryan Chrstie the architect on both occasions.

It means Aberdeen will now face a trip to Cyprus Apollon Limassol in the next round as they aim to get into the play-off round.

The build-up to the match had been marred by the attacks by masked thugs on Aberdeen supporters in nearby Mostar where some Dons fans were hospitalised.

Siroki issued an apology to Aberdeen fans before the game, even though the attack wasn't by their own supporters. And there was no sign of trouble outside the ground as around 200 Scottish fans mingled happily with the locals.

McInnes had opted for an attacking line-up by including former Dundee star Greg Stewart for his first start instead of Greg Tansey. And just like in the Scottish Cup Final, Jayden Stockley instead of Adam Rooney.

Temperatures were still in the mid-30s when the game kicked off and the Pecara Stadium was packed with the Siroki fans who generated a terrific atmosphere.

And they nearly had cause for an early celebration in the fourth minute as Ivan Krstanovic lashed a quickly taken corner into Joe Lewis' side-netting.

Lewis was tested for the first time when he made an easy save from a header Dejan Cabraja and the home side looked comfortable.

And the Scots were given a real let-off midway through the first half when Kenny McLean misjudged a header and the ball skidded off his head straight into the path of Cabraja, who was right through on goal. Thankfully for Aberdeen though, the striker took a dreadful heavy first touch and the ball went through to the onrushing Lewis.

When Shay Logan wasted a free kick in a promising position by overhitting it, it was the perfect time for the Scots to take the water break because of the temperatures and regroup.

It took Aberdeen half an hour to win their first corner and it least offered up a hint of optimism as a straight-from-the-training-ground routine saw Anthony O'Connor's flag kick find McLean at the edge of the box and his volley was deflected away.

At last Aberdeen were starting to enjoy some possession and Andrew Considine did hit the post with a far post header, but the whistle had long gone for a foul by the Dons defender.

But the long-serving Aberdeen stopper sparked controversy when he went in hard on Siroki's Menato with the home fans and players claiming he went over the ball, but the Danish ref had no issues with the tackle.

Siroki keeper Luka Bilobrk was tested for the first time two minutes after the restart when Considine couldn't get enough purchase on his header from a Christie free kick and the keeper comfortably gathered.

But Aberdeen had by far their best chance of the match on the hour mark when Christie injected some real quality into the game when he picked the ball up and drove at pace at the Siroki defence. He unleashed a low fizzing drive which keeper Bilobrk could only push out into the path of Stewart, but the on loan Birmingham City forward was off balance and could only shoot over from the rebound.

Christie wasted arguably an even better chance a couple of minutes later when he tamely headed an inviting cross from Mackay-Steven wide as Aberdeen at last turned the screw and provided some much-needed urgency.

But the Dons needed a fabulous save from Lewis to keep them level when Siroki broke at pace and Ivan Krstanovic struck a brilliant volley at goal which the English keeper tipped over.

And that was to prove vital as Aberdeen finally made the breakthrough with 18 minutes left. Christie was the architect with a brilliantly disguised reverse pass into the path of Stewart who calmly finished the send the Dons fans behind the goal into delight.

They had even more to celebrate four minutes later when they got that vital second goal which meant there was no way back to Siroki.

Again Christie was the provider when he spotted the run of former Celtic star Mackay-Steven in the box who coolly slotted home for his first Dons goal.

"Are you watching Ryan Jack?" sang the jubilant Dons fans and their team had at least given Scottish football a shot in the arm after the disappointing exits of Rangers and St Johnstone.

SIROKI BRIJEG (4-3-3): Bilobrk; D Coric, Matic, Barisic, Markovic; J Coric (Loncar 52), Begonja, Bralic; Cabraja (Corluka 67), Krstanovic, Menato.

UNUSED SUBS: Zlomislic, Kozul, Wagner, Grubisic, Nikic.

BOOKED: Barisic, Begonja, Krstanovic, Menato

ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Lewis; Logan, Reynolds, O'Connor, Considine; McLean, Shinnie; Christie, Stewart (Tansey 75), Mackay-Steven (Rooney 80); Stockley (Maynard 67).

UNUSED SUBS: Rogers, Harvie, Wright, Storey

BOOKED: Christie

REF: M Tykgaard (Den)