The Pars squander a second chance within a matter of minutes and it is Michael Moffat's turn as his first effort is deflected and, when he follows up and with only Remi Matthews to beat, the striker fires against the goalkeeper's legs.

Kilmarnock twice go close to a second at Dens Park. In the first instance Greg Taylor reaches the byline and drills the ball into the centre where Sean Longstaff’s left foot effort is diverted wide by an excellent challenge from Kostadin Gadzhalov.

Minutes later and Conor Sammon crashes in a volley which advancing Dee keeper Scott Bain gets a hand on and a defender on the line completes the clearance.

Paul McMullan is through for what should be the on-loan Celtic winger's second goal of the game, but he fires wide of the post.

Rangers chairman Dave King has released a statement, external following manager Mark Warburton's departure. Here are some excerpts...

"Despite the relative disappointment of this season so far, the bigger project remains firmly on track and we will take whatever corrective measures are necessary.

"The outcome of this [week's] meeting [with the club] was that the agent [of the management team] offered that Mark [Warburton], David [Weir] and Frank [McParland] would resign with immediate effect without compensation as long as the Club, in turn, agreed to waive compensation from any new Club that they signed for. 

"After discussion the Board accepted this offer and employment was immediately terminated.

"While we were dealing with the admin and press releases relating to the resignation the agent again contacted us and asked to defer the resignation until the management had secured a new club. The Board met to consider this request but resolved to hold them to the original agreement.

"We are now in the process of reviewing the best interim and long-term solution for ensuring that a modern and robust footballing structure is put in place that will continue with and entrench the footballing philosophy that we have in place."

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Scott Fox is having to fend off an absolute barrage of Aberdeen shots. The goalkeeper snatched Andy Considine's header, then dives low to flick Jonny Hayes' bobbling cross away from the bottom corner. This is looking decidedly ominous for the hosts.

County on a rare foray downfield, and Milan Lalkovic drives an ambitious half-volley a yard or so wide from distance.

A vicious, rasping volley from Ryan Jack stings the palms of Scott Fox from the edge of the County box. The Dons still piling on the pressure.

A powerful shot from Chris Duggan whizzes inches wide and soon after the East Fife man is denied by a goal-line clearance from Adam Eckersley. The home side have got their tails up. 

Best chance of the game for Niall McGinn, who finds himself free on the edge of the box after a Jay McEveley mistake, but shot weak and low, and straight at Scott Fox in the County goal. Should have done a lot better. Should have scored.

Hamilton boss Martin Canning has replaced Grant Gillespie at half-time, with Dougie Imrie, who was surprisingly dropped to the bench, starting the second half.

We're off again... Into the second halves we go.

All to play for up and down the country with all of the Scottish Cup ties in the balance.

In today's only Scottish Championship fixture, Falkirk lead second-placed Dundee United and could end the day third in the division.

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Paul McMullan's goal separates the sides, with the Championship hosts just about deserving their lead against their Premiership visitors.

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Scott Davie
BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

Partick Thistle have gone 406 minutes without scoring a single league goal but it took just seven minutes of this Scottish Cup tie for them to make the breakthrough at one of their favourite grounds.They are just 45 minutes away from a fourth successive win at McDiarmid Park and deserve to be in front at half time for the intensity of their performance so far as Saints haven't been able to get into their stride.Tomas Cerny hasn't has a serious save to make while Adam Barton's first half goal that splits the teams was stemmed from a terrific sweeping move that also involved Steve Welsh and Steven Lawless.  

Cammy Smith's goal separates the sides at the break and, at this stage, Championship St Mirren are on course to avoid a Scottish Cup shock against their League One opponents.

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