ABERDEEN stepped up their preparation for their European showdown against Burnley with a 2-2 draw at Premiership rivals St Johnstone.

Stevie May and Scott Wright were both on the score-sheet as the Reds continue the pre season build up ahead of the Europa League second qualifying round clash with English Premier League Clarets on Thursday July 26.

St Johnstone grabbed the lead in the fifth minute when Richard Foster crossed in from the right to find David WOTHERERSPOON who took one touch before lashing into the net beyond Joe Lewis from 15 yards.

The Reds hit back in the eighth minute when summer signings Stephen Gleeson and Lewis Ferguson linked up down the right.

Republic of Ireland international Gleeson threaded a pass to 18-year-old Ferguson who then picked up Stevie MAY’s diagonal run into the box .

The striker dinked a shot beyond keeper Zander Clark to net against his former club.

Moments later May was again involved when he flighted in a cross from the right towards Cosgrove who flicked a header just wide of the far post from 15 yards.

Aberdeen went ahead in the 27th minute through an impressive solo goal from Scott WRIGHT.

The winger collected a pass 35 yards out then ran towards goal.

Bursting into the box he fired a lethal finish beyond keeper Clark from 15 yards.

The temperature was so hot at McDiarmid Park the teams stopped for water breaks mid way through the halves.

In the 39th minute Drey Wright stepped wide of Devlin to open up space but curled his 22 yard effort wide.

Striker Rooney came on for Cosgrove at half-time and was immediately involved when he met a Wright cross but headed just wide from the edge of the box.

Moments later the impressive Ferguson curled a 25 yard effort inches wide of Clark’s near post.

In the 64th minute Considine cleared off the line as substitute Greg Hurst got on the end of Liam Craig’s knock down from close range.

St Johnstone levelled in the 73rd minute when substitute Greg HURST curled an effort beyond keeper Joe Lewis into the top far corner

In the 87th minute Comrie broke forward and found Callum Hendry in the box but his 15 yard drive flashed just over goal.

ABERDEEN: Lewis, Logan, Devlin, McKenna, Considine, Gleeson, Shinnie, Ferguson, Wright, May, Cosgrove.

SUBS: Rooney (for Cosgrove 46), Mackay-Steven (for May 70), McGinn (for Wright 70), Ross (for Gleeson 76), Anderson (for Logan 84) , Campbell (for Shinnie 87), Reynolds (for Devlin 90).

Subs not used: Rogers, Harrington.

ST JOHNSTONE: Clark, Tanser, Anderson, Davidson, Wotherspoon, Wright, Kerr, McMillan, Craig, Foster, Scougall.

Subs: Gordon (for Kerr 46), G. Hurst (for Davidson 56), Hendry (for McMillan 65), Njo-Lair (trialist) (for Scougall 72), Miller (for G.Hurst 75), Comrie (for Wright 84).

Subs not used: M. Hurst, Millar, McCann, McLean.

Referee: Alan Muir