Ross County’s Scottish Cup dreams were ended by 10 man Dundee United in a five goal thriller at Victoria Park.
Billy Mckay’s last minute winner sealed the win for Mixu Paatelainen’s side, who played the final half hour with 10 men following Mark Durnan’s red card.
County manager Jim McIntyre made two changes to the side which won 2-0 at Kilmarnock in midweek with Liam Boyce and Brian Graham restored the starting line-up with Alex Schalk dropping to the bench while David Goodwillie was cup-tied.
It was United, who won 3-0 at Victoria a week ago in the league, who started the brighter of the sides but it was County who threatened first when Liam Boyce was sent clear on goal only for Luis Zwick to parry his effort before Sean Dillon’s challenge prevented Boyce from converting the rebound.
But the Staggies were not to be denied and Boyce put his side ahead when he guided Andrew Davies’ header past Zwick.
That was enough to give the Staggies an interval lead but the game came to life in the second half when Henri Anier ran on to a deflected Mark Durnan effort to fire home the equaliser.
Durnan then handed the initiative back to County when he hauled Brian Graham to the ground in the box, conceding a penalty and earning himself a red card in the process.
Graham put County ahead again from the resulting spot kick but the visitors hit back almost immediately when Anier got on the end of John Rankin’s ball into the box to score his second of the game.
But the drama did not end there and in a stunning finish former Caley Thistle forward Billy Mckay scored a dramatic last minute winner for the 10 men of United when he headed Blair Spittal’s cross past Woods to break County’s hearts.