Aberdeen 1-0 Partick Thistle

Graeme Shinnie scored a cracking first-half goal to send Aberdeen ahead

Graeme Shinnie grabbed the only goal as Aberdeen beat Partick Thistle to reach the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

The home side were the better team throughout but again found the killer touch hard to find.

Aberdeen passed up a host of first-half chances but Shinnie curled home the crucial winner just before half time.

Partick threatened late on through Abdul Osman's header and had defender Danny Devine sent off when he picked up a second yellow card.

In truth, however, Aberdeen reached the last four with more to spare than the score-line suggests.

With Celtic having beaten St Mirren 4-1 earlier on Sunday, the Dons joined them, Rangers and Hibernian in the semi-final draw.

There was a real sense of anticipation ahead of this match, a feeling that the best had been saved for last on Scottish Cup weekend. And with good reason.

Partick came into the game on the back of four straight wins, having not conceded a goal in more than six hours, while Aberdeen had lost just once at home all season.

The first half, however, failed to live up to pre-match expectations and for the home fans there was a worrying sense of familiarity.

Dominant Dons

Having dominated Hamilton but lost 1-0 on Tuesday night, the Dons enjoyed the bulk of possession and chances against Partick but for the first 40-odd minutes they were once again firing blanks.

Adam Rooney and Peter Pawlett tried their luck with no joy before Niall McGinn drew a top stop from Accies keeper Tomas Cerny with a thunderous half-volley from outside the box.

When the unmarked Rooney nodded over from seven yards concern must have been growing among the home support.

Partick Thistle keeper Tomas Cerny made a terrific save to deny Andy Considine early in the second half

With half-time approaching, however, Shinnie allayed any fears when he curled an excellent effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards after being picked out by McGinn.

Partick's problem

Thistle had not conceded a goal during their four-match winning run so falling behind posed a whole new problem for Alan Archibald's troops.

The situation did not suit them as they struggled to make an impression in the final third, while Aberdeen continued to create chances in the second half.

Andy Considine forced another great save from Cerny before Rooney hit the post with a header, and all along Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis enjoyed a relaxing Sunday.

Lewis eventually saw some action late on, expertly plucking one dangerous cross out of the air before Osman nodded Thistle's best, and only real chance, over the bar.

Quality counts

One goal took Aberdeen to Hampden but there was more between the teams than that, an indicator of the quality within this current Aberdeen outfit.

Abdul Osman nodded over the bar with the only real chance Partick created at Pittodrie

Goals may not be coming easy for them just now but some of their build-up play is excellent, with McGinn hitting form at a key moment in the season.

With players such as Shinnie, Kenny McLean, Jonny Hayes and Rooney in their ranks, Derek McInnes' side has the creativity and firepower to trouble most teams and will be confident going to Hampden in the last four.

Post-match reaction

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "It's all about getting through in the cup and I thought we were the better team throughout. We missed some good opportunities. We had to fight for everything we got against this Thistle team. They're a good side. We knew chances would be at a premium but I thought we created enough chances to score more than one goal.

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald admitted his side were off the pace

"Somebody's got to win (the cup). We feel on our day we can beat any team in the country."

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald: "I thought we started brightly enough but we fell out of the game and lost a lot of individual battles.

"I started the same side but they looked a bit leggy and maybe Aberdeen's extra day of rest made the difference.

"We had a late rally but we didn't do enough.

"We're not too despondent because we were beaten by a top side."