Hamilton 0 Motherwell 0 (Hamilton win 6-5 on penalties)

Photo by Jeff Holmes Teenager Craig Watson was the sudden-death hero as Hamilton knocked Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell out of the League Cup. Watson sealed a 6-5 victory on penalties following a goalless third-round tie at New Douglas Park that saw both sides reduced to 10 men. After a tight opening half, Hamilton had Stephen Hendrie sent off in the 65th minute for a second foul on Lionel Ainsworth and Motherwell had chances to win it before and after the end of the 90 minutes. But Michael McGovern produced a brilliant save from Iain Vigurs, then Josh Law and Lionel Ainsworth both hit the frame of the goal within seconds of each other. The game reverted to a stalemate when Mark O'Brien was controversially sent off 10 minutes into extra-time but Hamilton midfielder Louis Longridge missed a late chance to avoid penalties. The first 10 penalties - taken at the empty end of the ground - were expertly finished, but Motherwell substitute Simon Ramsden went too straight with his as the contest entered sudden death and McGovern threw up a hand to stop it. And Watson showed composure to slot his penalty and send Accies through.

It meant more heartache for Motherwell at New Douglas Park - where they lost to Albion Rovers in last season's William Hill Scottish Cup. The game was played in a crackling atmosphere with the away end initially appearing to have more fans than seats. A flare and smoke bomb were set off in the most crowded area, before the home club opened up an overspill area across from the main stand. Hamilton had an early territorial edge despite fielding an inexperienced side with Dougie Imrie and Jason Scotland on the bench and Martin Canning, Jesus Garcia Tena and Mickael-Antoine-Curier still injured. However, Longridge produced the only shot on target of the first half. The midfielder turned and fired towards the top corner from 20 yards, but Dan Twardzik made an excellent diving save. Hamilton striker Eamonn Brophy shot into the side-netting after good feet inside the box following the restart and Motherwell appealed strongly for handball in the box when an Ainsworth shot hit a home player, but referee Craig Charleston waved play on. Charleston then showed a second yellow card to Hendrie for scything down Ainsworth - the left-back had been booked in the first half for a late barge on the same player. Motherwell took control and a corner fell in front of John Sutton but he could not guide it on target as he stretched. Accies goalkeeper Michael McGovern kept the scores level with a brilliant reflex save in the 75th minute, pushing away a powerful first-time shot from Vigurs after Sutton had left Fraser Kerr's driven cross. Sutton had a chance to win it in the last minute but Law's free-kick was slightly too high for him and he looped a header over. The game opened up as extra-time began and Jack Leitch fired just wide from 20 yards with the hosts stretched before Accies had an amazing let-off in the 95th minute when Law was played clean through following a one-two. The midfielder shot against the bar and Ainsworth volleyed the rebound against the post. The teams were evened up 10 minutes into extra-time when Charleston ruled that Mark O'Brien body-checked Crawford as the midfielder broke. The Irishman had been booked during the break, apparently for a challenge on Brophy that prompted the referee to blow the half-time whistle, and Charleston produced a second yellow. The game tightened up but a mistake from Keith Lasley allowed Longridge a chance in the dying seconds, but he fired just wide. However, Accies did not have to wait long to celebrate.