ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes was confident his side were always going to find a winner against Fola Esch in their Europa League first qualifying round first leg at Pittodrie.
The Dons scored two late goals, Niall McGinn’s deflected 90th-minute strike and an Adam Rooney penalty seven minutes into added time, to secure a deserved 3-1 victory.
Shay Logan had given Aberdeen the lead in the 68th minute, only for the away side to equalise shortly afterwards though a close-range finish from captain Julien Klein.
However, the Reds struck twice late on to give themselves a two-goal advantage to take to Luxembourg for next Thursday’s return match.
McInnes said: “We’ve had plenty of occasions over my few years here where the team has demonstrated that ability to keep going to the end and get late goals. That was in evidence today.
“When the minutes are running away there is always a fear that you don’t get that goal. But there is also a confidence when you see the players trying to do the right things.
“That game could have been 1-1 if we hadn’t kept showing that determination and desire. But the game could also have been 6-1 or 7-1 if truth be told.”
McInnes added: “Their keeper had a good night and it could have been a lot more. I can’t be too critical of the players at all because at this stage of our preparation we are not going to be where we will eventually be.”
Aberdeen defender Ash Taylor had two goals ruled out in the match. The first arrived after the ball was knocked back to him by Jayden Stockley following a cross from Jonny Hayes but referee Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen ruled the ball had drifted out of play from Hayes’ delivery.
Taylor saw a second goal disallowed due to an apparent foul on keeper Thomas Hym.
McInnes said: “Taylor should have scored two goals that should never have been chalked off. The ball wasn’t over the line when Stockley headed it back for the first one. Then there was nothing wrong with Taylor’s second goal.”
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Derek McInnes never doubted Aberdeen would find a way past Fola Esch
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