BARRY Robson tonight admitted that Aberdeen fans and VAR had helped the Pittodrie club to earn a 2-2 draw against St Mirren at the SMISA Stadium.

Graeme Shinnie and his team mates, who drew 2-2 with Hakken in the first leg of the Europa League play-off in Sweden on Thursday night, were far from their best in Paisley this afternoon.

Robson was a relieved man after a Bojan Miovski penalty in the 10th minute of added-on time at the end of the league encounter secured them a hard-fought point.

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“We looked a yard off it all over the pitch,” he said. "But when you can’t win it then you don’t lose it. I thought we hung in there and fought right until the end.

“The cohesion just wasn't there from the first minute. It was hard to go from the high of Hacken to playing the form team in Scotland. They had won their first six games this season and we have been on the road for a long time.

The Herald: Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, left, celebrates his injury-time penalty as St Mirren keeper Zach

“I think the fans helped us in the end. We needed to get something out of the game and thanks to them we did. We probably got a few VAR decisions as well. 

“We are trying to deal with the league, Europe and getting players up to speed at the same time. We were not good enough but, my God, how we fought.”

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Robson added: "What I told the players is that it is a learning curve - that's what happens when you play a high pressing game against Hacken and then play the form team in Scotland on a Sunday.

"We never really got going at any stage. What I am pleased with is the way they hung in and fought and the spirit between them all."

English Championship club Southampton have been linked with a move for Miovski before the summer transfer window closes on Friday night.

Asked if he was confident that Aberdeen can hold onto the North Macedonian striker, Robson said: “Massively, hugely. “