Goals from Markus Heikkinen and Darren Mackie gave Aberdeen victory over plucky Arbroath in the Tennent's Scottish Cup third round at Gayfield Park.

The Bell's Second Division side had hoped to use the swirling wind to their advantage in the first period but their plans were in disarray in the 12th minute when Heikkinen opened the scoring.

The Red Lichties fought back from the early disappointment but Mackie sealed the Dons' safe passage into the last 16 halfway through the second period.

But Aberdeen goalkeeper Ryan Esson was tested as early as the fifth minute when Euan Donaldson's wicked corner from the right swirled and looked to be creeping under the crossbar.

Esson backtracked and used both hands to punch clear.

Marc Millar, the former Livingston and St Johnstone player, was next to try his luck, but shot inches wide from 25 yards out.

He was in the thick of things again in the ninth minute, picking up on Michael Hart's poor clearance and threading a pass into space for Gavin Swankie.

The striker showed good pace to get in behind the Dons' defence, but Esson managed to get down quickly and stop his angled shot.

But Aberdeen took the lead in the 12th minute against the run of play.

Arbroath managed to clear for a corner after a goalmouth scramble, but their reprieve lasted only a few seconds as Heikkinen rose to bullet Steve Tosh's ball beyond Neil Inglis.

Tosh showed his worth to the side towards the end of the first half.

His pinpoint cross to Stewart in the 39th minute should have yielded a goal, but Arbroath's Steven Rennie managed to make a desperate block.

It was the same story two minutes later when Derek Adams, again picked out with a ball from the right, shot on target but a defender launched himself into a clearance.

The Dons upped the pace after the break and were aided by the conditions being in their favour.

And, in the 67th minute, the visitors were rewarded.

Tosh and Stewart combined well, to leave space for Mackie to coolly stroke the ball into the net from 12 yards out.

That was to be Stewart's final contribution, as Calderwood made his first change in response to the goal.

Mackie had battled well against the physical Red Lichties' defence and was replaced by Noel Whelan.

The substitute then had a great chance to add the third, but his volley from a tight angle lacked enough pace to get past Inglis.

Arbroath boss Harry Cairney tried to inject new life into his team with a late double change, but Paul Farquharson and Duncan McLean - who came on for Swankie and Greig Henslee - were unable to save the home team's cup dream.

Teams

Arbroath Inglis, McMullen, Donaldson, Rennie, McLeod, Bishop, Millar (Cusick 82), MacDonald , Brazil, Henslee (Farquharson 87), Swankie (Maclean 87).

Subs Not Used: Woodcock, Greig Miller.

Booked: McMullen, Millar, Brazil.

Aberdeen Esson, Hart, Anderson, Heikkinen, McGuire, McNaughton, Tosh (Morrison 79), Adams, Clark, Stewart (Whelan 68), Mackie.

Subs Not Used: Blanchard, Craig, Foster.

Goals: Heikkinen 12, Mackie 67.

Att: 4,165

Ref: B Winter (Scotland).