Marius Muller saved three penalties in a dramatic shootout as 10-man Aberdeen booked their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals at Hampden. Jack Milne sealed the victory from 12 yards, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling Red Army.
Dons battle through after red card
Stephen Robinson had blamed tiredness for Aberdeen's poor display against Kilmarnock a week earlier, but this time his side showed grit after Dan Happe was sent off. Kevin Nisbet headed the Dons in front early in the second half, but Happe's red card and Tyreece John-Jules' equaliser from the resulting free kick turned the game on its head.
Aberdeen were unlucky not to win in extra time, with Mats Knoester heading just wide and Max Stryjek producing a double save from Milne and Toyosi Olusanya. The shootout saw Muller save from John-Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola before Milne fired high into the net.
Muller cements his status
Muller arrived at Pittodrie from Wolfsburg earlier this year, following Dimitar Mitov, who was a favourite for his penalty heroics in last year's Scottish Cup win over Celtic. The 33-year-old is proving every bit as popular, with three huge saves in the shootout.
There was a downside, however, as a fair number of fans spilled onto the pitch at full-time, some goading Kilmarnock's ultras. A fine could be coming the club's way.
Nisbet continues scoring run
Kevin Nisbet's header was his 10th goal of the season, nine of them in this competition. No other Aberdeen player has scored more than once this campaign. The skipper is carrying the goalscoring burden alone.
For Kilmarnock, the defeat piles more pressure on Neil McCann, with the Ayrshire side struggling at the bottom of the Premiership. The weak trio of penalties saved by Muller summed up a powderpuff attack that has now failed to score in four of their last five league games.
