Adam Rooney does well to hold the ball up on the edge of the box and work his way clear to get a shot away. Maribor goalie Handanovic throws his huge frame on to the ball at his near post and Rooney's expression betrays the sense of desperation that must be welling up in the Dons' players chests.

Marwan Kabha is booked for a block on Niall McGinn, the Dons player subsequently substituted for young Scott Wright.

It's a sobering thought that Maribor have knocked out Rangers, Celtic and Hibernian from European competition in recent years. Aberdeen will feel they are at least as good as this current Maribor team but unless they can produce a goal in the next eight minutes they will be going out before the Europa League play-off round.

That's more like it, Tavares! He collects the ball at the back post and in a flash spins and shoots a fraction wide from six yards, with Andy Considine closing him down quickly. Despite the danger of conceding a goal, Aberdeen will soon have to commit more men forward, you suspect.

Marwan Kabha replaces Aleks Pihler for the closing stages.

Niall McGinn teases his opponent Sme down the left wing and finds space to dink the ball over but his cross is headed clear. Aberdeen have 14 minutes to find the net.

Maribor striker Tavares shuffles clear of the Aberdeen defence but his dreadful shot wide of Joe Lewis's goal has me wondering if he was part of the '70s soul group of the same name rather than being a respected Brazilian goalscorer.

Striker Miles Storey comes on for Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean. Can the Englishman become a hero for the Dons by scoring an away goal?

Jim, Strathaven

"The game is going to open up now and Maribor are going to have more belief."

Former Aberdeen midfielder Stuart Duff

Second-half substitute Jayden Stockley is shown a second yellow card for going in with an elbow and is sent off! Aberdeen are down to 10 men.

Graeme Shinnie intercepts a Maribor pass 30 yards from his own goal and races into the Slovenians' half before pinging a pass to Adam Rooney out on the right. There's nothing on immediately, though, but they keep up the pressure and Shinnie wins a free-kick 25 yards from goal. The delivery, however, fails to trouble Maribor. Better from Aberdeen, this.

Aberdeen have 35 minutes to score a goal to stay in the Europa League.

Burly striker Jayden Stockley, on for Wes Burns just a minute ago, is booked for a beefy challenge. Maribor's Erik Janza also picks up a booking for clashing with Ryan Jack.

Joe Lewis comes to the Dons' rescue with a powerful stop to deny big Milivoje Novakovic from finding the net as he swivelled on the edge of the box and shot at goal. Maribor look a different proposition all of a sudden.

It's that man Dare Vrsic posing the Scots danger as he sweeps in an effort with his left boot. Joe Lewis makes a good save.

Vrsic lines up a free-kick for Maribor, 25 yards out. His left-footed strike is punched clear by Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis and it's another 15 seconds of frantic defending before the 300 or so visiting fans can breathe more easily.

And the second half is under way in north-east Slovenia.

Martin & Nick, London.