Dundee out of the Scottish Cup after 3-0 defeat to Motherwell

Dundee were sent crashing out of the Scottish Cup by a ruthless Motherwell side.

There were no signs of ring-rust for the Premiership outfit, who were playing their first game after the top flight’s winter break.

A Christopher Long hat-trick did the damage.

His first was a deflected free-kick that gave Jack Hamilton no chance and you couldn’t attach any blame to the Dundee keeper when Long curled a second past him after a slick passing move opened up the home defence.

The goal that completed his hat-trick and ended the contest was a moment that will keep Hamilton awake at night, though.

With 15 minutes left he let a long-range shot slip through his fingers and over the goal-line.

The emphatic scoreline was a bit harsh on James McPake’s team as they were the better side in the second half.

Kane Hemmings, who saw a header cleared off the line first half, hit the bar, also with a header, shortly after the re-start.

There was also a Declan McDaid shot that went close.

Out of the cup, Dundee’s only remaining hope of success this season is securing promotion through the play-offs, with the league campaign resuming at Dunfermline on Friday night.