The Sons travelled to Aberdeen to take on an in-form Dons team who sit second in the Premiership and have already reached for the League Cup final. Ian Murray’s men competed well and created a number of opportunities against their Premiership opponents but were unable to take their chances and an Adam Rooney header in the 53rd minute secured the Dons’ passage into the semi finals.

Mark McLaughlin and Chris Turner failed late fitness tests before the match, forcing Ian Murray to replace McLaughlin with Celtic loanee Michael Miller at the heart of the Sons defence while Scott Agnew and Jordan Kirkpatrick continued to anchor the Sons midfield in the absence of Turner.

Aberdeen created the first real opening of the match as full back Shaleum Logan burst into the Dumbarton box but Andy Graham diverted his cross clear for a corner.

Dumbarton hit back through their own full back with a brilliant run from Scott Linton as he beat two Aberdeen defenders on his way into the box before dragging his right footed shot wide of Jamie Langfield’s front post.

Former Scotland midfielder Barry Robson began to come into the match and he was denied by Stephen Grindlay twice in the space of five minutes.

Jonny Hayes swung over a cross from the Aberdeen right which Robson met at the back post but Grindlay made a brilliant save to block his close range header.

Just minutes later Grindlay denied Robson again, this time tipping his low shot wide for a corner.

At the other end Chris Kane got his first sight of goal but Langfield comfortably held his effort from 20 yards.

Kane was then involved again — this time going down under a challenge in the Aberdeen box but referee Kevin Clancy waved away the penalty claims from the striker and the Sons support.

Former Aberdeen man Mitch Megginson was next to threaten, when he got on the end of an Agnew free kick but Langfield did well to save his effort.

Grindlay comfortably held a Robson free kick from 30 yards before Graham had to be at his brave best to throw himself in front a Cammy Smith shot from 12 yards which looked destined for the back of the neck.

Dumbarton ended the second half well and Megginson flashed an effort wide after getting on the end of a Jordan Kirkpatrick ball.

After their half time talk from Ian Murray Dumbarton came out for the second half all guns blazing and created a number of chances.

Langfield struggled to hold a cross but Kane was unable to get onto the loose ball and capitalise.

Nish then did well to create an opening for Agnew but the midfielder saw his effort from 12 yards blocked by a desperate Aberdeen defender.

Agnew threatened again but this time Langfield saved his effort from 18 yards.

However, in the 53rd minute Dumbarton were made to pay for not taking their chances.

Scott Linton attempted to usher the ball out for a goal kick but under pressure from Smith he conceded a corner. Robson swung over the corner and Rooney bulleted the ball home to put the hosts 1-0 ahead. As Dumbarton’s part time squad grew tired and Nish, Agnew and Linton all had to be replaced with injuries, Aberdeen started to show their superior quality and threatened to extend their lead.

Russell Anderson and Hayes both went close with headers while Ryan Jack struck the post with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

At the other end Dumbarton struggled to create an opportunity until the 88th minute when Paul McGinn got on the end of a Garry Fleming cross but his header bounced up and over the bar and with that miss went Dumbarton’s cup hopes for another year.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Anderson, Considine, Reynolds, Flood, Hayes, Smith, Robson (Low), Rooney (Vernon), Jack, Logan Subs: Weaver, Shaugnessy, Zola, McGinn, Tate.

Dumbarton: Grindlay, McGinn, Linton (Smith), Graham, Miller, Gilhaney, Agnew ( Prunty), Kirkpatrick, Megginson, Kane, Nish (Fleming,).

Subs: Ewings, McDougall, Thomson, Murray