U19s v Aberdeen

Davie Muir gave Pars the lead but Dons overpower their visitors to win this SFA Youth Cup tie.

ABERDEEN 3 DUNFERMLINE 1

With a place in the last eight at stake, both sides started nervously as they contested this SFA Cup tie at Pittodrie on Monday night. Pars Calum Smith had the first chance of the game shooting past the post from 18 yards after twelve minutes.

Greg Paterson had to save from Willie John Kiely and then midway through the half Iain Williamson met a Davie Muir cross but he sent the shot wide from just six yards out. Fraser Stewart then had to turn a Smith shot round the post after the striker had got on the end of a penetrating Clark Kay free kick.

On the half hour Chris Maguire provided Kiely with a good chance at the far post but the shot under pressure was wide. Smith supplied Alan McDonough with the next chance but he too failed to hit the target.

Dunfermline did eventually make the breakthrough in 35 minutes at a Sean Muhsin free kick. Davie MUIR met the good delivery to head home from just eight yards.

Into the second half Paterson was first in action to comfortable take a headed effort at his back post but in 50 minutes a throw in deep inside the home side`s half led to the equaliser. The ball was given away cheaply and KIELY met the long diagonal ball to volley home.

Just eight minutes later the Dons took the lead when Chris MAGUIRE chipped the ball over Neil Fenwick`s head to slam the ball past Paterson. Dunfermline found it tough to trouble Fraser in the Aberdeen goal until a final push in the closing 10 minutes.

Williamson should have done better with a shot that Fraser saved, Fenwick had a header cleared off the line at a Muhsin corner and then Phinn missed out at a Muhsin cross. McDonough was put through for a shot from the edge of the box but was off target.

As the Pars continued to press for the equaliser that would have kept their cup hopes alive Aberdeen broke allowing Andrew BAGSHAW to net the third with just two minutes remaining.