Ferguson is congratulated by Arthur Numan

Michael Mols passed up an excellent early chance to open the scoring after Russell Latapy and Shota Arveladze had combined to set him up, but the Dutchman succeeded only in sliding the ball into David Preece's grasp.

Ferguson did no better after Mols' pass released him in the area, but the midfielder's effort was too high.

Aberdeen were doing well to contain Rangers while creating one or two chances themselves, but the visitors eventually took the lead through Numan midway through the first half.

The fullback picked up the ball 12 yards out before curling the ball past Preece with the outside of his left boot.

An Arveladze header was turned away from goal by Phil McGuire and Mols was again foiled by Preece three minutes before half time, the keeper getting down well to prevent a second goal with the Dutchman clean through.

Aberdeen could have scored twice within five minutes of the restart.

First Russell Anderson headed wide from a good position and then Darren Mackie fired over after beating Bert Konterman inside the area.

Leon Mike heads past Stefan Klos

The Dons' best effort so far came in 55 minutes from Darren Young, who brought out a fantastic save from Stefan Klos with a long-range drive.

But from the resultant corner, Aberdeen drew level, Mike heading home at the back post.

Rangers' intricate passing was failing to create clear-cut opportunities and Aberdeen looked capable of scoring on the break, Mackie testing Klos from the edge of the box.

Aberdeen took a dramatic lead in the 74th minute when Mackie met Kevin Rutkiewicz' cross at the back post to head emphatically past Klos.

Rangers brought on Neil McCann for Mols as they pushed for an equaliser and the winger provided Arveladze with a chance, but his header was well held by Preece.

The equaliser came from the penalty spot in 78 minutes after Fernando Ricksen was felled in the box by McGuire, Ferguson the man to score.

De Boer volleyed wide at one end before Darren Young had another powerful effort deflected behind by Ferguson and Anderson again came close to threatening with a header.

Klos earned his corn in the closing moments with a superb reflex save from Eric Deloumeaux to keep the scores level.

Aberdeen: Preece, Rutkiewicz, Anderson, McGuire, McAllister, Deloumeaux, Darren Young, Bisconti (Tiernan 39), Derek Young, Mike (Michie 79), Mackie.

Subs Not Used: Esson, Thornley, Billio.

Booked: Deloumeaux, McGuire, Thornley.

Rangers: Klos, Ross, Malcolm, Konterman, Numan, Ricksen, de Boer, Ferguson, Latapy, Arveladze, Mols (McCann 75).

Subs Not Used: McGregor, Nerlinger, Dodds, Hughes.

Booked: Ferguson, Klos.

Att: 14,915

Ref: S Dougal