Motherwell became the latest cup victims as First Division Ayr deservedly dumped them on their own patch.

The visitors always looked capable against a shaky Motherwell defence which had conceded 10 goals in their last three home games.

The writing was on the wall for the Premier side as early as the eighth minute of the Tennents Scottish Cup fourth round tie when Mike Reynolds crossed for Gary Peel to strike with a volley to make it 1-0.

Ayr then lost their keeper Craig Nelson for eight minutes but stand-in John Robertson had little to do as his defenders protected his goal.

Ironically Nelson came back after 22 minutes in time to face a Motherwell corner which McCulloch squeezed over the goalline to make it 1-1.

Three minutes later Kevin Twaddle crossed from the left and Don Goodman stroked the ball into the net from close range to make it 2-1 and put 'Well in front.

Ayr though still could smell an upset and after 31 minutes Denham pulled down Reynolds inside the box and Teale converted the penalty kick to level the scores again.

Back came 'Well and, after Nelson tripped Goodman inside the box, Ged Brannan restored the home lead with yet another penalty kick.

Motherwell though were unable to subdue their First Division opponents and six minutes from half-time Neil Tarrant capped an amazing first half with a glorious 20-yard drive to once again level the sides at three each.

Ayr looked the more determined side after the break and it was no surprise when after 59 minutes a well-struck volley from Tarrant took a slight deflection beyond Andy Goram to put Ayr in the lead at 4-3.

Just to make it difficult Ayr were reduced to 10 men when Reynolds received his second yellow card after 63 minutes.

Amazingly though the First Division side still looked the more likely to score as a ragged home side fell apart.

An amazing mix-up in the home defence saw McGowan lift the ball high over his own keeper before Goram booted it clear.

And then in the dying minutes Hurst had a great chance to make it five but his shot from 12-yards was well blocked by Goram.

Ayr though were not to be denied the glory, and their second Premier scalp of this cup campaign as they marched into the quarter finals much to the delight of their large travelling support.

Teams:

Motherwell: Goram, Doesburg, McGowan, Denham (J. Davies 82), McMillan, Townsley (Nevin 60), Brannan, Valakari, Twaddle (Nicholas 72), Goodman, McCulloch.

Booked: Denham, McMillan.

Goals: McCulloch 22, Goodman 25, Brannan 35 pen.

Ayr: Nelson, McMillan, Shepherd, Craig, Robertson, Duffy, Wilson, Tarrant (Crilly 70), Reynolds, Teale, Hurst.

Subs Not Used: Grant, Campbell.

Sent Off: Reynolds (63).

Booked: McMillan, Wilson, Reynolds.

Goals: Teale 8, 31 pen, Tarrant 39, 59.

Att: 5,222

Ref: Martin Clark (Scotland)