Dundee United 1-1 Aberdeen

Chisholm happy with start Calderwood sees promise from side

Former Dunfermline midfielder Barry Nicholson scored on his Aberdeen debut to secure the visitors a point.

New Dundee United signing Lee Miller had given his side the lead, firing home from close range to continue the form shown with Hearts last season.

Aberdeen dominated thereafter but paid for the lack of threat up front that led them to chase Miller's signature.

But Nicholson connected with Kevin McNaughton's cross to give the Dons a deserved share of the points.

Gordon Chisholm started his first full season as United boss by fielding new signings Miller and goalkeeper Derek Stillie.

Midfielder Derek McInnes and new defensive signing Lee Mair were out injured, with winger Barry Robson suspended.

Aberdeen gave debuts to Nicholson and Jamie Smith, but Steve Lovell missed out along with fellow injury-victim Richie Byrne.

The Dons started brightly and Nicholson and Kevin McNaughton fired low shots just wide of goal.

Miller, who chose United ahead of the home side during the summer, silenced the crowd's jeers when he drove the ball into the top corner of the net from inside the six yard box following a corner.

Smith fired a long-range effort just wide as the Dons responded.

But goalkeeper Ryan Esson prevented United increasing their lead by turning Grant Brebner's 16-yard drive over the crossbar.

Smith drove the ball across the United goal, but there was nobody there to take advantage.

United captain Paul Ritchie made a fine block to deny John Stewart 10 yards out.

Aberdeen continued to dominate after the break and drew level three minutes into the second period.

McNaughton' cross to the back post and found the unmarked Nicholson, who beat former Dunfermline team-mate Stillie with a well-placed effort across goal.

Alan Archibald headed over as United came close to restoring their lead.

Gary Dempsey then fired wide from 25 yards for the Dons, while Stewart was inches away from getting his foot to a ball played across the United goal.

Stillie had to be on his toes to block a fierce drive from Severin that flew goalwards from 20 yards out.

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Dundee Utd: Stillie, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie (Kenneth 63), Archibald, Kerr, Brebner, Duff, Crawford, Miller (Samuel 86), McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Samson, Dodds, Grady, Holmes, Robertson.

Booked: Brebner.

Goal: Miller 7.

Aberdeen: Esson, Clark, Anderson, Diamond, McNaughton (Winter 84), Dempsey, Severin, Nicholson, Considine, Smith, Stewart (Craig 73).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Muirhead, Foster, Macauley, Maguire.

Goal: Nicholson 48.

Att: 12,404

Ref: D McDonald