Mackie (left) pleased his team-mates with the opening goal

Hearts and Aberdeen had to settle for a point apiece after an entertaining game that ended in angry scenes involving Tynecastle manager Csaba Laszlo.

Aberdeen took a deserved lead when Darren Mackie pounced to score after a mistake by defender Marius Zaliukas.

But Hearts took over when Lee Wallace blasted an equaliser from long range.

Laszlo confronted the officials after the game - referee Steve Conroy having changed his mind on consulting his linesman after awarding a late penalty.

The home side had suffered an early blow when Andrew Driver and Laryea Kingston failed late fitness tests.

So Ruben Palazuelos was handed his first start of the season, while Saulius Mikoliunas also started in midfield.

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood dropped Mark Kerr and Stuart Duff to make way for Sone Aluko and Jared Hodgkiss.

And it was the reshuffled visitors who adapted better to the fierce, blustery conditions.

Zander Diamond rose high to meet Aluko's corner but was unable to keep his header down as it cleared the crossbar.

But the Dons took the lead after 14 minutes following a glaring mistake by defender Zaliukas.

The Lithuanian allowed Andrew Considine's pass to run past him and Mackie raced in to slip the ball under Janos Balogh from a tight ankle.

However, the advantage lasted a mere seven minutes as Wallace created and finished the equalising move.

The left-back cut in from the flank and played a one-two with Christian Nade before sliding in to lift the ball over Jamie Langfield high into the net.

Neither team was helped by the build-up of water on the pitch as a consequence of the driving rain.

Hearts had late claims for a penalty denied by the assistant referee

But Hearts' central midfield trio of Christos Karipidis, Michael Stewart and Bruno Aguiar made their numerical advantage count as the home side began to dominate.

Aguiar's dangerous delivery from corner-kicks was causing the visitors problems and Aberdeen were relieved to see Mikoliunas head wide after 34 minutes.

Christian Nade squandered a good chance after the break when he headed well over from four yards following an Aguiar corner.

Aberdeen responded and Hodgkiss sent a long-range drive crashing off the Hearts' crossbar.

Aguiar headed the ball just wide from a fine turn and chip by Nade, while Miller sent a drive off the post at the other end.

Referee Steve Conroy pointed to the spot after Stewart went down in the box following a challenge from Langfield.

But, after protests from the goalkeeper, the referee over-ruled the decision after consulting his assistant.

Substitute Jamie Mole lashed over from seven yards as Hearts squandered a chance to win the game in stoppage-time.

Hearts manager Csaba Lazslo:
"Christmas is in three months, but we keep gifting goals to our opponents.

"But I must compliment the team for the way they came back after losing an early goal.

"They played good football and controlled the game."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood:
"I think a draw was a fair result.

"I thought we started the game really well and were in the ascendancy.

"But all credit to Hearts, they came back into the game after the equaliser."

Hearts: Balogh, Jonsson, Berra, Zaliukas, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas (Cesnauskis 79), Aguiar (Ksanavicius 86), Stewart, Karipidis, Palazuelos, Nade (Mole 76).
Subs Not Used: MacDonald, Makela, Thomson, Rapnik.

Booked: Mikoliunas.

Goals: Lee Wallace 21.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mair, Considine, Diamond, Foster, Hodgkiss, Young, Severin, Aluko, Miller (Mulgrew 89), Mackie.
Subs Not Used: Bateman, Wright, Kerr, Duff, De Visscher, Maguire.

Booked: Considine.

Goals: Mackie 13.

Att: 14,265

Ref: S Conroy

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Aberdeen's Lee Miller, 7.83 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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