Scottish Cup: Cove Rangers 0-3 Ayr United

Ayr United secured a Scottish Cup last-16 tie with League 2 Elgin City after a 3-0 win over 10-man Cove Rangers.

Ayr broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Mark McKenzie's deflected shot found the net.

Cove were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Mitch Megginson was a yellow card, then a red, in a minute for a dissent.

Dipo Akinyemi then netted from close range to double Ayr's lead, before Sam Ashford made it 3-0 with a low shot.

Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley: "I thought we were right in the game. First half, there wasn't a lot between the teams, we conceded a really poor goal and then I think the game changes when we go down to 10 men.

"If you are the captain, you have got to lead by example, and keep your head and keep your discipline. It doesn't matter what you think of the referee - keep your cool, keep your head , keep 11 players on the pitch. It is just a bad error."

Ayr United manager Lee Bullen: "We knew we were taking a little bit of a gamble with changing as many bodies as we did, but these lads that played all deserved the opportunity and a lot of them took it.

"I am not going to disrespect Elgin in any way whatsoever, we played them in the cup at the beginning of the season and drew with them."