GOALS from Duncan Shearer and Dean Windass gave Aberdeen a place in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup at Fir Park last night. A third round Cup exit is another body blow for Alex McLeish's Motherwell, second bottom of the premier division on goal difference and now facing a battle to save their status.

McLeish's side attacked from the kick-off and Paul Lambert tried a speculative shot after only 19 seconds which was too high. However, they went behind after 37 minutes after failing to halt a run by Brian Grant. His long-range shot missed out Shearer, but Windass was on hand at the far post to steer the ball beyond Howie.

Shearer had the last word. barely three minutes alter halftime, as he grabbed Aberdeen's second goal. Howie failed miserably to claim a corner from Miller and when Stewart McKimmie fed him inside the six-yard box, Shearer's drive was all but over the line when John Philliben helped it on its way.