Jimmy Thelin left frustrated as Aberdeen held by Noah

Jimmy Thelin expressed frustration after his Aberdeen side were held to a 1-1 draw in what was billed as a must-win Conference League game against Armenian champions Noah.

The Dons knew they needed three points to realistically keep alive their hopes of remaining in the competition beyond Christmas but Kevin Nisbet’s first goal of the season at the end of the first half was cancelled out by Nardin Mulahusejnovic’s 52nd-minute header.

“We were not strong enough today to deserve a win,” conceded Reds boss Thelin. “I think a draw is a fair result. It’s not a good result for us, but I think it’s fair.

“We knew we had to win, and all the fans were here so it’s really disappointing right now.

“Our performance was the frustrating part after the game. Just don’t lose the basic parts of the game so quick, because even if the stress (pressure) can come in, there’s still 15 minutes, 10 minutes left, and you just need that chance.

“We were so disconnected in the last part of the game.”

Aberdeen are 33rd in the 36-team Conference League table with just two points from their four matches. They will likely require victories in their last two games at home to Strasbourg and away to Sparta Prague to have any chance of finishing in the top 24 and surviving in the competition.

Asked if he was inclined to park the last two games and focus on the league instead, Thelin said: “I will never do that. I think you always need to be competitive as a player and as a manager and as a club. You always have to play for and also get used to it for the future also, so we will not do that.

“But it was important for us to win today to give us the chance. Now we have to win both games and be really, really lucky with all other results.

“We don’t control anything there now. So it was more about that situation today to give us a chance. Now it’s a difficult situation. And for us this is still an opportunity to grow and learn.”

Thelin’s side were booed off by some supporters at the end but the manager said: “Football is about passion and emotions, so I have no problem with that.

“The performance in this game was not there really and of course they can feel frustration because I feel frustration myself. And the players feel it because it was not good enough. We have to do better.”