HJK Helsinki 2-2 Aberdeen: Barry Robson's side hit back from two down in Finland

Barry Robson said Aberdeen need a better balance to their "too aggressive" attacking approach in Europe after they had to roar back from two goals down to pick up a point in a Conference League thriller at HJK Helsinki.

A 10-minute delay in the second half to clear the pitch of snow gave both teams a chance to catch their breath in a wild game, which the hosts took control of with first-half goals from Hassane Bande and Santerri Hostikka.

Rattled by the hot start in freezing conditions, a makeshift Aberdeen side pulled one back through a sensational half-volley from defender Angus MacDonald, before Duk's back-post header completed the comeback.

Neither team could find a winner in the frantic scenes either side of the weather-enforced break, meaning Aberdeen - whose qualification hopes were already over - stay in third in Group G, a point ahead of HJK.

But the visiting manager is hoping for a rapid return to the European stage after a goal-filled campaign full of highs and lows.

"We've scored 11 goals in Europe, and that's against Swedish champions Hacken, Europa [League] champions [in 2022] Frankfurt, PAOK and the Finnish champions," Robson said.

"That, for me, is probably a bit too aggressive in Europe because we've lost a few goals at the back end.

"We really want to be that way and we wanted to score goals. Our biggest learning curve is how do you get the balance right when you go into Europe again, whenever that is. We hope it's next year."

Barring an early Papa Gueye strike that was blocked from close range, Aberdeen's much-changed line-up were immediately on thin ice in the Finnish capital.

Hostikka's stab flashed wide, Topi Keskinen's effort rebounded off the legs of Kelle Roos, and Pyry Soiri's drive into the box prompted a nervous melee. No doubt, Aberdeen were on red alert in the swirling snow.

With warnings unheeded, the hosts hit the front in deserved fashion when Slobodan Rubezic dived in rashly to allow Bande a clear route to goal.

If Hostikka clipping the crossbar moments after the opener wasn't a glaring sign of more to come, then he made sure there was no ambiguity when he danced through a dazed Aberdeen backline and rifled into the far corner.

Something special would be required to inspire any hope in the flailing visitors, and it came from an unlikely source as MacDonald's outrageous thumper from 30 yards arrowed into the top corner.

The visiting support began the second half with a telling off for launching snowballs at the home goalkeeper, with the referee halting the game momentarily because of safety concerns.

Duk had been one of the players pleading with his fans to stop their target practice and within minutes he was on the mark himself as his stooping header at the back post finished off a dangerous corner.

Knowing their European ambitions were already over, both sides traded prideful blows as HJK's Perparim Hetemaj and Jamie McGrath of Aberdeen spurned big chances despite the delay, which threatened to take the sting out the game.

Aberdeen could have sealed a first European group-stage win in 16 years had substitute Bojan Miovski found a late finish, but once again in this continental campaign they failed to prevail in an engrossing contest.

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Their five group games this year have produced 18 goals, all intriguing affairs in one way or another, whether it be comeback or collapse.

Boss Barry Robson said they were coming here to put on a performance for their 1,500 travelling fans. While they pulled one out in the end, their wretched start in the snow would have had some fans wondering why they were subjecting themselves to a freezing in Finland.

Despite the conditions, Aberdeen found the spirit and desire that has been on show - at least in spells - in all of their outings on the stage this season.

As the manager has admitted, they are still some way off having the quality and consistency to sustain these displays for 90 minutes at this level.

The wait for that long-awaited win in European football goes on. While disappointing, the fans would have found some much-needed warmth in the unity and character shown by their side against the Finnish champions.

HJK Helsinki manager Toni Korkeakunnas: "I am very very proud of the boys. First half we played brilliant football at times and I am very very pleased. I couldn't ask for any more from the boys."

Aberdeen defender Angus MacDonald: "We probably showed them too much respect first 20 minutes. But as soon as the goal went in everything started to change. We'll look back and kick ourselves as we should've taken more from both games and should have been qualifying."

Aberdeen look to climb the league table with a trip to Hibs on Sunday (15:00 GMT), before their final Conference League outing at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on 14 December.