IN the end, Aberdeen's supporters only had the memories to keep them warm.
On what they had dubbed Gothenburg Day in celebration of their Cup Winners' Cup win over Real Madrid 30 years ago, they watched their side eke out a point against St Mirren to take them closer to their aim of a seventh-place finish in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Any relevance that remarkable evening in the Ullevi Stadium had yesterday was confined to the stands; only three of Aberdeen's 18-man squad were even alive this time 30 years ago. Contemporary curiosity was afforded, though, by the presence of the respective chairmen in the directors' box, Stewart Gilmour and Stewart Milne having become engaged in an unseemly spat at the height of the league reconstruction debate.
The pair sat a few seats apart, but neither truly had cause to become roused by the efforts of two clubs with nothing to play for, despite the usual earnest vows over "finishing as high as we can" and the budgetary implications of doing so.
Aberdeen perhaps enjoyed the better of the contest and, indeed, did ripple the rigging, only for Jonny Hayes' effort to be incorrectly adjudged offside after Niall McGinn played him in, but neither side demonstrated the nous to earn three points. That, as much as anything, explains why this encounter was in the bottom six, but the visitors, at least, can reflect on a strong conclusion to the campaign under Derek McInnes. This was a fourth game without loss since he took charge and the manager was content with another solid performance.
His sole source of frustration was a failure to score. Aside from Hayes' effort, Ryan Jack's volley hit an upright, Scott Vernon shot wide from a promising position, Craig Samson made a fine reaction save from Joe Shaughnessy's close-range header, and only the goalline intervention of Marc McAusland denied Vernon after Hayes' terrific run and cross. "If we'd scored I think we would have won comfortably," said McInnes, who was sanguine about the disallowed goal. "It's the same as a lot of games this season; we need to change that if we don't want to be in the bottom six next year."
St Mirren, meanwhile, rarely looked capable of ending a poor run since lifting the Scottish Communities League Cup. The Paisley side, without a victory in seven matches since that memorable March afternoon, extended their spell without a league win to nine games.
Danny Lennon's side were, at least, more resolute yesterday, addressing the concession of 10 goals in their last four games with a solid defensive display, but lacked the verve or guile to cleave open an equally diligent Aberdeen backline. Their best moments came from set pieces. A devilish Dougie Imrie free-kick forced Jamie Langfield to shovel away, Mark Reynolds headed over his own crossbar under pressure from Sam Parkin, and the English striker himself flashed an effort over from a Gary Teale corner.
"We tried a couple of things with an eye on next season, but both teams cancelled each other out," said Lennon, who substituted substitute Lewis Guy for showing "disrespect" to assistant Tommy Craig, and confirmed goalkeeper Samson will open negotiations with Motherwell this week. "They got in touch to tell us," added Lennon. "We made Craig the best offer we could and he's decided to take a gamble on his own ability, so we'll see where it takes him."
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