Dundee left it late to see off League One Airdrieonians but they eventually booked passage to Scottish Cup round four with an extra-time victory at Dens Park.
Substitute Derick Osei was the man who made the final difference with two goals in extra-time to see the Dee through before another two strikes put gloss on the scoreline.
Airdrie had been reduced to 10 men before extra-time got under way after Callum Smith had made it 2-2 on 66 minutes.
That was after Paul McMullan and Zak Rudden had netted either side of half-time to cancel out Calum Gallagher’s 21st-minute opener.
And the Dark Blues made the extra man count against their ragged part-time opponents as Fin Robertson and Luke McCowan put their side through as 6-2 winners.
Key moments
Airdrieonians started the brighter of the two sides and tested Ian Lawlor in the Dundee goal before taking the lead in the 21st minute through Gallagher.
The frontman was given too much space and he picked his spot from 20 yards.
The Dark Blues were sluggish early on but grew into the contest with Max Anderson going close on two occasions.
The pressure told just before the break as Dean Lyness failed to deal with a Cammy Kerr cross under pressure from Rudden.
The ball dropped to McMullan to fire into the unguarded net.
In the second half, again Airdrie started brightly and again had chances.
But then Lyness had a moment to forget, gifting the ball to Rudden outside the area.
It wasn’t the easiest of finishes with a man to beat from the corner of the box but the striker found the net for his fifth goal of the season.
The League One side weren’t done yet, however, as Smith broke through with 15 minutes to go and levelled things at 2-2.
As the match headed for extra-time, Airdrie right-back Cammy Ballantyne took out Alex Jakubiak to earn a second yellow card.
With a man advantage, Dundee were on top in extra-time and made it count with sub Osei the man in the right place at the right time.
First Lyness denied Jakubiak only to see the ball fall perfectly for Frenchman Osei to knock in the rebound.
And Osei was there again to notch his second of the day on 108 minutes.
There was still time to add more against a beaten opponent with Fin Robertson grabbing his first-ever senior goal with a well-taken goal with eight minutes to go.
And McCowan ran through to finish off the League One side, seeing his finish go in off the underside of the bar.
Dundee’s star man: Ben Williamson
On-loan Rangers man Williamson continued his fine recent run of form with another impressive midfield showing.
At times showing his quick footwork to beat a man, others finding the right pass.
A fine display.
Player ratings
Lawlor 7 (Legzdins 76, 6), Sweeney 6, Ashcroft 6, McGhee 7, Kerr 7, Mulligan 6 (McCowan 106, 7), Byrne 6 (Grayson 68, 6), Anderson 6 (Jakubiak 68, 7), Williamson 8 (Robertson 95, 7), McMullan 7 (Cameron 85, 6), Rudden 7 (Osei 85, 8).
Subs not used: Sharp, Sheridan.
Attendance: 2,341
Manager under the microscope
Gary Bowyer was forced into three changes with injuries hitting the squad.
Zak Rudden came in for the injured Zach Robinson, Max Anderson started in place of Cillian Sheridan with Paul McMullan moving up top.
Josh Mulligan was in for Tyler French at right wing-back.
Bowyer didn’t look to his bench until Airdrie made it 2-2, throwing on Alex Jakubiak for Max Anderson and Joe Grayson for Shaun Byrne.
Then with 14 to go, goalkeeper Ian Lawlor collided with the post after making a smart save and was replaced by Adam Legzdins.
Rudden had picked up a yellow card and was at risk of a second. Rather than risk that Bowyer sent on Derick Osei up front and Lyall Cameron to support as McMullan also went off.
And, in extra-time, Williamson’s race was run as Fin Robertson took his place.
Man in the middle
Lloyd Wilson had a quiet game until the closing stages when he showed a red card to Airdrieonians full-back Cammy Ballantyne.
It was a quickfire double booking for two fouls in succession, the second seeing the defender take out Jakubiak on the halfway line.
A decision the League One side were not happy with.
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