Hurlford provided the expected stuffy opposition at Hannah Park in this Emirates Scottish Junior Cup fourth-round tie. In fact, they opened the brighter side and for fifteen minutes they impressed with their tenacity and skill, both in defence and wide on the right. Thomson, who has caused trouble against the Bon Accord for a variety of teams over the years, was giving Fleming a tough time of it and they almost took the lead after a Fleming foul on the ancient warrior but a crashing free kick hit the top of the bar on its way over.

But even before that, Shotts were beginning to show signs of settling down and with Boyack and McStay grabbing hold of midfield some astute balls were being played in for Duffy and McLaughlin. Boyack then went close with a clever chip which Markey palmed over the bar. The corner to the far post was headed back by Darren Ferguson and Tony Fleming hammered home a volley in the 18th minute for the opener.

Shotts now took over and six minutes later a lovely pass from Boyack was steered around the keeper by McLaughlin for the second. The chances continued as the centre's shot came back off the post with Markey well beaten but the keeper was alert to Duffy's effort some minutes later.

The visitors were out a full five minutes before the second half kicked off, just to show keen they were to seek parity and it was they who once more took over the match with some dazzling interpaly down the right. For 20 minutes they huffed and puffed without looking as if they were really capable of doing some lasting damage however.

They introduced all three subs between the 46th and 67th minutes and one minute after that they were back in it. Fleming gave away a foul just outside the box and, alert to the danger posed by Thomson and Lawless, Darren Ferguson and Fleming were dragged wide as Wilson played the free kick into the feet of McPhee who whirled round a stabbed the ball under Craig Brown. A poor goal to lose.

The Bon Accord had had their own chances: Boyack's neat header slipped past the far post; Duffy looked to be upended in the box just as it seemed he was about to poke the ball into the net; later Barr blazed the ball over after Boyack's clever dummy and Fleming should have passed to the better-placed McLaughlin or Barr but elected to go for a second stab at glory, driving the ball past the near post.

Tony McInally reacted by bringing on McSeveney, Miller and Barr four minutes after the Ford goal and a minute later McLaughlin was on hand to smash in his second to put Shotts 3-1 up. The game continued to flow back and forward but the home team were in control with Barker especially making some lung-busting runs down the right to relieve his defenders.

With six minutes on the clock, Finnigan foolishly took out an opponent just outside the box but Thomson's weak free kick was easy meat for the keeper until it hit the hapless right back's napper and deflected beyond the keeper to give United some hope in the last five minutes.

But that was the end of the scoring and, for a neutral, it wasn't a bad game. Hurlford will be disappointed they didn't make more of their ascendency at the beginning of each half but Shotts had the better chances and deservedly go through to the fifth round, something Tony McInally has achieved in each of the last three years.