Many might have picked Dens as the place for a shock this afternoon and Ayr are going some way to pull one off.

The Championship side have had the better opportunities, with Lawrence Shankland at the heart of everything.

He had two early shots deflected just wide before setting up Andy Murdoch for the best chance of the half, but goalkeeper Jack Hamilton did well to push his side footed effort away.

The home fans have had little to shout about, but Adil Nabi curled one close and Jean Alassane Mendy forced a good save from Ross Doohan.

Neil McCann will want more from his side after the break.

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It has been a dominant 45 minutes for Aberdeen. Gary Mackay-Steven, in particular, is having a great game, skipping by players for fun and he got the opener for the Dons with a volley.Graeme Shinnie's header and a first goal since March for Stevie May made it three, while just before the half-time whistle, a brilliant save from Craig Samson denied Shinnie a second after he combined with Frank Ross.Aberdeen lost Niall McGinn in the warm-up, but it certainly hasn't hampered them.

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Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

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Now it's Dundee's turn to go close. Jean Alassane Mendy finds himself one on one with goalkeeper Ross Doohan, who does well to tip the shot wide.

No shortage of entertainment. Both sides have hit the woodwork and goalkeeper have made crucial saves, but it's Danny Johnson's goal that separates the two sides.

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Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at Almondvale

Crucial save by Liam Kelly to keep out Motherwell striker Curtis Main from close range. The Steelemen look so confident approaching the break.

The chance of the game so far and, no surprise, it's from Ayr.

Genseric Kusunga loses the ball out on the left-hand side, the ball is picked up by Michael Moffat, who cuts it back to Andy Murdoch and his side-footed effort from 12 yards is brilliantly saved by Jack Hamilton.

It has been 12 games without a goal for Stevie May, who had not netted since March, and even that was his first since November.

However, after breaking his scoring duck, he almost grabs a second, getting close to Graeme Shinnie's dangerous cross.

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Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at East End Park

The match at East End Park has flown by with both teams playing slick attacking football on a pitch that has been helped with the light drizzle falling.

The large crowd are enjoying the match with the emphasis on playing the fall forward at the earliest opportunity in what is a true cup-tie atmosphere.

Faissal El Bhaktoui looks particularly alert for the home side, while Uche Ikpeazu at the other end is posing problems for the Pars trio of defenders.

Queen of the South have had the stuffing knocked out of them following a goal from Saints' Tony Watt against the run of play.

Stephen Dobbie has been Queen of the South's main man at the other end and continues to create chances to try and get an equaliser.

Gary Harkins weaves into the Saints penalty area and must surely score if he lets fly.

But the midfielder elects to pass it and his side have to settle for a corner.

From the corner, Zander Clark does superbly to save from Lyndon Dykes.

St Mirren have had a nightmare start, but they are still threatening on occasion, especially through Nicolai Brock-Madsen, who forces a good save from Joe Lewis.

Matty Willock then heads over from the resultant corner.

Dundee have settled into the game a bit more. Craig Wighton has a first shot on goal but blasts it straight at goalkeeper Ross Doohan after receiving the ball from Jean Alassane Mendy.

Ayr, though, have been the better team in this opening quarter.

Jason Kerr heads into the net, but the Saints defender is ruled offside.