Aberdeen had to come from behind in the second half to share a 1-1 draw with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Premiership this evening.

David Goodwillie thought that he had opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes when he slid the ball in low, but the striker's effort was ruled out for offside.

The visitors continued to look the more likely early on as Niall McGinn fired a couple of efforts wide, while Peter Pawlett had a strike parried away by Alan Mannus.

The Saints tried to put Aberdeen under pressure down the other end a few minutes later, and they managed to open the scoring when the visitors failed to clear a ball into the box, leaving Simon Lappin to volley in at the back post.

The Dons had a chance to get back on level terms before the break, but McGinn's low drive did not get the better of Mannus in the St Johnstone goal.

The visitors did not need long after the break to find the equaliser though, as Adam Rooney picked out the top corner with a powerful strike from outside the box.

Goodwillie tried his luck from range a few minutes later as he tried to put Aberdeen ahead for the first time, but Mannus watched the ball all the way.

The home keeper continued to come under pressure between the posts as McGinn set up Goodwillie again a few minutes later, but his curling ball in was comfortably held.

Shaleum Logan tried to set up a winner inside the final 10 minutes for Aberdeen, but Lawrence Shankland could not get his shot away, while Mannus was on hand to deny Rooney his second of the night moments later.

Scott Brown was needed in stoppage time for Aberdeen as Murray Davidson and Michael O'Halloran both tried to force in late winners for the hosts, but the Aberdeen keeper stopped both.

The result leaves Aberdeen second in the table, level on points with Celtic, while St Johnstone sit sixth.