Aberdeen and Lokomotiv share spoils

Aberdeen FC and FC Lokomotiv Moskva are both still searching for a first win in Group B after neither side could create a winning goal in the second half at Pittodrie.

Elusive win
Both sides found the target in the opening 45 minutes with Alexander Diamond giving the home side the lead (27) only for Branislav Ivanović to level on the stroke of half-time. The Russian side have now drawn both of their games in the pool while Aberdeen picked up their first point after a 3-0 defeat by Panathinaikos FC on Matchday 1.

Miller profligate
Dmitri Sychev's clever shot was scrambled wide by Aberdeen on ten minutes but the game did not spark until midway through the first half. Omatsone Aluko surged down the left wing and delivered a cross that was palmed away by visiting goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli and Lee Miller blazed the loose ball wide. Peter Odemwingie responded with a free-kick for the visitors that was tipped over by Jamie Langfield and, from resulting corner, Chris Clark was on hand to head a Sychev header off the line.

Goals arrive
The intervention proved vital as the Scottish side immediately forced a corner which was swept to the far post by Barry Nicholson and firmly headed in by Diamond. Diniyar Bilyaletdinov had the chance to restore parity moments later but fired over a reasonable chance. Sychev then went closer still, driving an effort off the foot of the near post after a neat exchange of passes with Aleksandr Samedov. They were not to be denied, however, and on the stroke of half-time Ivanović headed the equaliser from six metres following a Samedov corner. Chances became more sparse as the game took on a fractious feel after the break and both sides were forced to settle for the point.