Dons stunned by late goals

Aberdeen, whose European glories reached a peak with their Cup-Winners' Cup final triumph over Real Madrid in 1983, risk humiliation in the Uefa Cup after losing the first leg of their qualifying round tie 2-1 at home to Bohemians last night.

Aberdeen, whose European glories reached a peak with their Cup-Winners' Cup final triumph over Real Madrid in 1983, risk humiliation in the Uefa Cup after losing the first leg of their qualifying round tie 2-1 at home to Bohemians last night.

A crowd of 13,600 at Pittodrie were stunned as the Dubliners struck twice in the last eight minutes to earn a rare success outside the Republic for a League of Ireland side.

Aberdeen went ahead when Robbie Winters scored from a through ball by Andy Dow in the 62nd minute, but with eight minutes remaining Bohemians scored from a Tommy Molloy corner that was perfectly placed for Shaun Maher. His free header left the Aberdeen goalkeeper, Ryan Esson, with no chance as he scored a deserved equaliser. Molloy added the second from the spot in the last minute after Mark Perry hauled down Darren O'Keeffe in the box.

Cork City, managed by the former Everton defender Derek Mountfield, were not so fortunate. They were within a minute of achieving a goalless draw with Lausanne Sports in Switzerland when the substitute, Cedric Horjak, struck the decisive blow, side-footing home a cross by David Helleeuyck.

There was some joy for Scotland with Hearts winning 2-0 in Iceland against IBV, but even then it needed the angry words of their manager, Jim Jefferies, to stir the Edinburgh side after an insipid performance in a goalless first half.

Roused to greater urgency, Hearts put themselves on the threshold of the tournament proper with goals from Scott Severin and Darren Jackson, who was moved further forward after the interval.

Steve Fulton floated over a free-kick in the 49th minute and Severin rose to head the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Colin Cameron almost added a second when he met Jackson's low cross but could only turn the ball past the post.

Hearts had risen to the challenge with Jackson and Fulton working well together, but it was Gary Naysmith who combined with Fulton on the left to lay on the second goal. The pass reached Cameron and, although the Hearts captain missed his kick, Jackson rifled the ball home.