Aberdeen eased their approach into the semi-finals of the Premier Sports activities Cup with a complete 4-1 victory over Championship leaders Partick Thistle.
In-form Luis Lopes opened the scoring and the sport was over by half-time as two Hayden Coulson efforts have been deflected into their very own internet by Thistle gamers Kevin Holt and Jack McMillan.
The guests pulled a aim again early within the second half as substitute Darren Brownlie headed residence, nevertheless it proved to be not more than a comfort as Aberdeen substitute Ryan Duncan restored the three-goal lead with 5 minutes remaining.
On a nightmare night for Thistle defender Aaron Muirhead, the defender was caught out of place when Lopes raced onto a Leighton Clarkson move earlier than calmly slotting previous goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon.
Muirhead had already gone into the e book for a foul on the striker, and shortly after the aim escaped a second warning for the same problem, main Ian McCall to make an early change to guard his man.
The Thistle backline appeared shambolic at occasions they usually have been punished once more on the half-hour.
Clarkson’s low cross was knocked out so far as Coulson, who drilled a low shot that took a deflection even earlier than being became his personal internet by the wrong-footed Holt.
4 minutes later, an analogous strike from the on-loan Middlesbrough participant gave the impression to be fizzing throughout the face of aim, just for the luckless McMillan to show into the online in related trend to Holt. It was initially credited to Coulson, however the doubtful objectives panel will certainly have one thing to say.
The Dons might have been additional in entrance as Bojan Miovski exchanged passes with the spectacular Clarkson, however Lee Hodson – on for Muirhead – popped as much as clear the shot off the road.
Holt was pressured off via damage simply earlier than the interval to compound a dangerous 45 minutes for Thistle, nevertheless it was one other substitute Brownlie who gave them a glimmer of hope.
On on the interval because the guests switched to a again three, he rose on the again put up to move residence a Stuart Bannigan nook, although Dons goalkeeper Kelle Roos ought to have performed higher.
The Jags’ modifications noticed them impose themselves extra on a second half disrupted by substitutions, however regardless of trying extra comfy, they have been unable to threaten Roos’ aim in a significant approach.
Certainly, it was Aberdeen who netted once more, teenage winger Duncan displaying very good composure to change toes as he turned inside his man earlier than curling a 15-yard strike previous Sneddon.