Hamilton were knocked out of the Scottish Cup for the second time this week - but only after giving Aberdeen a fifth-round fright at Pittodrie.

Beaten 2-1 by Brechin on Monday, the Irn-Bru First Division leaders approached their second chance with relish after the expulsion of their fourth-round opponents.

They created numerous chances against the Dons, but Zander Diamond slotted home against the run of play in the 64th minute to continue Aberdeen's challenge on all fronts.

Accies had a frustrating end to a dramatic week.

A replay against Brechin was ordered after on-loan Aberdeen teenager Michael Paton was found to be ineligible. And City were expelled on Thursday after it emerged a second player, Willie Dyer, was also signed after the original tie and should not have played.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid recalled six players, including goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell, highly-rated youngster James McCarthy and centre-half Simon Mensing.

And they did their manager proud, working hard to close down their SPL opponents and using their 4-3-3 formation to attack with purpose, but could not find a goal.

Aberdeen handed on-loan Middlesbrough midfielder Josh Walker and Stuart Duff full debuts and Darren Mackie made his first start since October following injury.

Hamilton attacked from the start and Mark Gilhaney cut in from the left and had a shot diverted just over. Richard Offiong handed the Dons another warning with a strong run before chipping over.

Aberdeen responded and Richard Foster had a shot held by Halliwell after a one-two with Lee Miller, before Walker curled a 20-yard free-kick inches wide after Tom Parratt had been booked for deliberate handball.

Accies came closer in the 15th minute when Tony Stevenson headed Parratt's cross against the outside of the post.

The end-to-end action continued and Mackie's chip beat Halliwell after some slack defending by Hamilton but the ball landed just wide.

Jamie Langfield then blocked David Graham's low shot from 15 yards after McCarthy's return pass had cut open the Dons.

Halliwell parried Andrew Considine's swerving long-range effort and Jeffrey de Visscher's shot from just inside the box was deflected wide following Foster's cross.

But the underdogs were enjoying plenty of possession and Barry Nicholson was booked for a wild tackle on Gilhaney before the Dons were booed at the half-time whistle.

Derek Young replaced De Visscher but Aberdeen still struggled to break down their visitors and they had a double escape around the hour mark.

Brian Easton lost the ball on a forward burst but Zander Diamond's clearance came off the Accies left-back and handed him a clear shot 20 yards out, which Langfield turned past the post.

Easton then had two efforts blocked in a frantic goalmouth scramble following the corner.

Miller was yards offside as he stroked home following a quick counter-attack but the Dons soon scored from a rare second-half chance.

Young's pass split the Accies defence and Diamond slotted in off the post despite Halliwell getting a touch.

Hamilton fought back and Stevenson had a powerful shot blocked at the near post before Offiong headed just past the top corner.

Both sides brought debutants off the bench as former Hearts full-back Alan Maybury replaced Duff and James Grady came on in search of an equaliser.

Hamilton pushed forward and were almost caught on the break when Young released Walker, but the teenager shot straight at Halliwell.

Mark McLaughlin headed wide from Parratt's cross before Langfield pulled off a last-ditch save from Grady after the veteran striker had latched on to a long ball.

And Parratt could not keep an injury-time free-kick down as Aberdeen held on to add a quarter-final to their upcoming glamour games in the CIS Insurance Cup and UEFA Cup.

Teams

Aberdeen Langfield, Duff (Maybury 69), Diamond, Considine,Foster, De Visscher (Young 45), Nicholson, Severin, Walker,Mackie (Lovell 79), Miller.

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Maguire.

Booked: Nicholson, Miller, Walker.

Goals: Diamond 62.

Hamilton Halliwell, Parratt, McLaughlin, Stevenson, Easton,Graham (Waterworth 81), Mensing, McArthur, McCarthy,Gilhaney (Grady 72), Offiong.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Gibson, Barrau.

Booked: Parratt.

Att: 6,441

Ref: Douglas McDonald (Scotland).