Aberdeen suffered a humbling 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat as as a Curtis Main-inspired Motherwell took a step closer to the trophy.
Main found the back of the net twice and was the stand-out player, bullying the Dons defence alongside Ryan Bowman, who grabbed the other goal.
There was little for the Dons to shout about, looking toothless in attack and being compounded by a poor defensive performance.
The focus must now switch to securing second as this hugely disappointing performance cannot be allowed to undermine the rest of their campaign.
Main put ‘Well in front on 20 minutes after Richard Tait capitalised on Dominic Ball’s hesitation to square across the six-yard box, allowing Main a simple tap-in.
They were two up on 24 minutes as a skewed clearance from Scott McKenna – captain for the day – allowed Bowman to beat Kari Arnason to the ball and finish at the second attempt.
Chidi Nwakali, who was handed a start in the middle of the park, limped off for Gary Mackay-Steven before the break, with the former Dundee United winger the sole bright spark for a below-par Aberdeen.
They needed some sort of shot in the arm at the start of the second half and with Adam Rooney stinging the palms of Trevor Carson, they looked like they might have a sniff.
But Main was able to get the better of Arnason again, charging down his clearance and racing free, before keeping his cool to beat Joe Lewis.
A lash over the bar from Niall McGinn was the closest Aberdeen came to getting on the scoresheet, as Stephen Robinson’s side advance to face one of the Old Firm sides at Hampden Park on May 19.