Scottish League Cup: Motherwell 3-0 Aberdeen

Peter Hartley (right) celebrates Motherwell's second goal

Motherwell comfortably beat Aberdeen to secure a place in the League Cup semi-finals where they will play Rangers.

An inventive flick by Louis Moult was helped into the net by the usually reliable Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Lewis was at fault again when he allowed Peter Hartley's downward header to squeeze into the net.

Well's Allan Campbell hit both posts with a volley before Moult's superbly finished ninth of the season wrapped up a memorable night for the home fans.

It was Motherwell's fourth consecutive Fir Park win and they reach their first League Cup semi-final in seven years. Their tie against Rangers and the semi between Hibernian and Celtic will take place on 21 and 22 October.

Young midfielder Campbell set the tone for this match in the opening minute, hassling and pressing Aberdeen into conceding an early throw-in.

Much has been made of the 19-year-old's impressive, battling performances of late and his hounding was a hallmark of the hosts' play for the rest of the game.

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Aberdeen did have one early chance before Motherwell took over - Gary Mackay-Steven's effort deflected wide by Chris Cadden after Ryan Christie's shot had been pushed away by goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

Soon after, the Steelmen were ahead. Kenny McLean lost out to Carl McHugh in the middle of the park, and the Irishman released Ryan Bowman, who skilfully located Moult for the unorthodox flicked finish.

Moult had his back to goal when he put the ball over his own head and it might not have even been heading towards goal when Lewis flapped it into his own net.

Motherwell doubled their lead when McLean conceded a free-kick out wide and Stevie Hammell curled in a lovely, deep delivery for Hartley to head in his first goal for the club. But Dons goalkeeper Lewis was at fault again - the downward header straight at him but somehow squirming through.

Louis Moult (second right) watches as his shot beats Joe Lewis for Motherwell's third goal

Cadden had been causing Mackay-Steven all sorts of problems down the Motherwell right and it caused Dons manager Derek McInnes enough concern to make a first-half substitution and tactical switch, with Adam Rooney replacing the former Celtic man.

Cadden and Bowman went close to making it three before the break and McInnes sent his men out five minutes early for the second half.

The flow of chances continued to be in Motherwell's favour as Moult had a shot blocked by Andy Considine then another beaten away by Lewis.

Rooney spurned a half-chance and, soon after, a goal-line clearance was required from Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie from another Hartley effort.

A superb solo run by Christie forced a great save from Carson as the large away support sensed a revival, but Motherwell hit the woodwork as Campbell's volley hit one post, rolled along the line and hit the other upright.

Motherwell did get their third, though, when Moult capitalised on Considine switching off to latch on to a long ball and lash the ball home from a tight angle.