Ross McCrorie’s equaliser keeps Rangers in the hunt for second in the Scottish Premiership, although hosts Aberdeen stay a point ahead with one game left.
Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis had already blocked well from Alfredo Morelos before the striker conceded a penalty for a challenge on Kenny McLean.
McLean dispatched the disputed spot-kick and struck the crossbar as the Dons dominated the rest of the half.
Rangers recovered after the break and McCrorie headed the vital reply.
It ended the Dons’ run of three consecutive clean sheets and the Ibrox side’s three-game winning run against their hosts.
But, despite Rangers caretaker manager Jimmy Nicholl having said before kick-off that it was a “must-win” for his side, it ensures that they, along with Aberdeen and Hibernian, will all go into Sunday’s climax with a chance of finishing second behind Celtic.
The champions host Aberdeen while Rangers head to Easter Road for what could be a winner-takes-all showdown with a Hibs side who could draw level with their visitors should they win the Edinburgh derby away to Hearts on Wednesday.
Aberdeen had struggled massively against Rangers this season, but the incentive was obvious going into this game.
Revenge aside, they knew three points would ensure European football and allow them to take another huge step towards securing second place. It was quite simply massive.
Rangers always arrive in the north east with a swagger and an important weekend win over Kilmarnock allowed them to approach this with a familiar confidence.
They were slick with their passing, full of attacking intent and dangerous going forward. Aberdeen looked rocked back on their heels.
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Morelos came close after good build up play by Graham Dorrans. The Colombian gathered and swivelled six yards out, but Lewis reached low to block the scuffed shot.
It had the visiting fans on their feet as they sensed a goal was coming. It was, but it came at the other end.
On a rare foray forward, McLean was caught late inside the box by Morelos and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot instantly.
The midfielder, who will turn out for Norwich City next season, took it himself and smashed it home, showing real composure on his last match at Pittodrie.
Pittodrie erupted in a sea of red and the home side responded. There was more fight and belief as they started to dominate possession in a way that looked unlikely earlier in the match.
As the Dons pushed, Rangers started to lose their shape and their discipline as late challenge after late challenge was met with a flash of yellow card.
McLean almost made it two, but only the crossbar denied him after a fizzing shot from all of 30 yards.
The visitors started creeping back into the match after the break and Morelos should have scored from five yards, but his header from a James Tavernier cross was straight at Lewis.
It should have served as a warning to the home side, but they failed to heed it and the paid the price when Rangers found the equaliser.
After some determined midfield play, Morelos shot was diverted high into the air by the head of Scott McKenna and McCrorie out-jumped the disorientated defender to head past a stranded Lewis.
A share of the points was fair at the end to set up a mouth watering final-day round of fixtures.
Live Text
Match ends, Aberdeen 1, Rangers 1.
Second Half ends, Aberdeen 1, Rangers 1.
Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Aberdeen. Adam Rooney replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
(Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Sean Goss (Rangers).
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
Scott McKenna (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Scott McKenna (Aberdeen).
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Kenny McLean (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Sean Goss (Rangers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Sean Goss (Rangers).
Ryan Christie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Andy Halliday (Rangers).
Attempt missed. Greg Stewart (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Attempt missed. Sean Goss (Rangers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Foul by Scott McKenna (Aberdeen).
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Aberdeen. Stevie May replaces Sam Cosgrove.
Sean Goss (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Aberdeen).
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Andy Halliday.
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by James Tavernier (Rangers).
Attempt blocked. Sean Goss (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Sean Goss (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Kenny McLean (Aberdeen).
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Andy Halliday.
Attempt blocked. James Tavernier (Rangers) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Gary Mackay-Steven (Aberdeen) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, Aberdeen. Greg Stewart replaces Dominic Ball.
Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Scott McKenna.
Attempt blocked. Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Foul by Sam Cosgrove (Aberdeen).
Andy Halliday (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Ryan Christie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Alfredo Morelos (Rangers).
