Neil Critchley felt a draw was a fair result at Pittodrie.
The Jambos were denied victory at the death as Dons goalkeeper Ross Doohan made an impressive penalty save to deny Jorge Grant from the spot in a competitive 0-0 draw in the northeast.
Although having to settle a point, the boss believes three clean sheets is a good platform for the boys in maroon to build on going forward.
“I felt a point really was a fair reflection of the game. It was a tight game, as the scoreline suggests,” he told Hearts TV.
“I thought we pressed and went after them well in the first half. We won the ball back a lot, but wasteful when we won the ball back. By doing that, you know you're running the risk of opening up the door at the other end, which we did once or twice.
“They had a couple of opportunities where they got behind us, but we sorted that out at half-time. In the second half, I thought we were in the ascendancy, pushing them back, had control of the game. They rarely threatened, Craig’s not had anything to do, and we grew into the game and had a couple of good opportunities.
“Obviously, none better than the penalty, and we nearly nicked the game. It's another clean sheet. That's three on the bounce, and it's given us a good basis to go and try and win games.”
Elton Kabangu made his bow in maroon at Pittodrie as a second-half sub, after joining on loan from Belgian side Union St-Gilloise, with Neil pleased at what he saw from the forward.
With a Scottish Cup round-four tie away to Brechin City to negotiate next, the boss is pleased to add another string to his attacking bow.
“I think he'll bring something different to our forward line,” said Neil.
“Mobility and the ability to run in behind. He attacks the crosses, as he did for the header, and there was another one or two that, when we got down the side, if we could have missed the first man when we went to cross it, he was right inside the six-yard box, which he would have been there to tap it in. That's what he’ll hopefully bring.
“With him and James Wilson, and Shanks to return, Grant is also playing 10 for us today. We've got other options.
“Kenny can play down the middle. We're hopeful that Elton will bring us something different.
“I'm really looking forward to Brechin. They're doing fantastically well in their lead. They've only been beaten once all season, so it's a great cup tie.
“I'm sure they're looking forward to it. I've already seen them play, and we'll go there fully prepared, give them the respect they deserve. We want to do well in the Scottish Cup.”
You can see Neil’s full post-match interview from Pittodrie on Hearts TV.
