• Scottish Cup round-up

Motherwell edge past Stranraer as holders progress

Richie Foran scored twice for Inverness © PA Photos

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Dundee United remain on course to defend their Scottish Cup crown as they booked their place in the quarter-finals after a 3-1 win over SPL rivals Hamilton Academical.

Jon Daly headed United into the lead before Paul Dixon's deflected shot beat goalkeeper Tomas Cerny shortly before the break. Mickael Antoine-Curier got one back for Accies after the break, but Prince Buaben stabbed the ball home shortly before the hour mark to seal the victory.

Motherwell sealed their place in the last eight, but were made to work hard for their 2-0 win by Scottish Division Three opponents Stranraer.

Steven Jones scored the on the stroke of half-time - but the Stranraer defenders felt Jones' strike was cleared off the line. Stranraer continued to battle, and it was not until the 82nd minute that John Sutton poked the ball home to seal the Steelmen's progress.

Craig Dargo scored both goals as St Mirren edged past Division Two opponents Ayr United 2-1. Dargo opened the scoring after seven minutes, turning tightly in the area before blasting home, before adding his second with a superb solo effort.

Dargo gave his side a 2-0 lead at the break, picking up the ball in midfield, weaving past the Ayr defence before slotting the ball past David Crawford on the stroke of half-time. Ayr got themselves back in the game when Mark Roberts converted the penalty after Darren McGregor was penalised for handball. Ross Robertson had a chance to equalise late in the game but his tame shot was easily saved by Paul Gallacher.

Adam Rooney and Richie Foran grabbed two goals apiece as Inverness Caledonian Thistle ended Greenock Morton's cup run with a 5-1 win. Foran opened the scoring for Inverness after picking up Rooney's lay-off, and Foran turned provider for Rooney, who curled the ball past Colin Stewart.

Chris Hogg scored on his debut to seal the win, and Rooney put the icing on the cake with a diving header from Aaron Doran's cross. Derek Lyle scored a consolation for Morton late on, but it was immediately cancelled out by Foran, who netted to restore Inverness' four-goal advantage.

Brechin City reached the quarter-finals for the first time with a 2-0 win over Buckie Thistle. David McKenna chipped Buckie keeper Kevin Main for the opener, and Rory McAllister doubled Brechin's advantage on the half-hour mark with his 19th goal of the season.

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