Nine-man Motherwell survived a second half pounding by St Mirren to reach the fourth round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

Lee McCulloch and John Spencer scored the vital goals for the visitors as both Don Goodman and Greg Strong received their marching orders at Love Street.

But Jose Quitongo scored a consolation for the Paisley side in the penultimate minute as Saints attempted to fight their way back into the game.

But Saints will be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of Motherwell's depleted numbers but in truth the home team seldom looked like winning this tie.

Saints first chance came and went in only four minutes when midfielder Ricky Gillies arrived late in the Motherwell six yard box to meet a Graham Fenton cross.

But Andy Goram produced a miraculous reflex save to turn the ball onto the crossbar.

A minute later Gillies again burst clear but this time his shot went wide.

The torrid opening was not all one way however and in the 10th minute, after Saints failed to clear a free-kick, Derek Townsley's shot was turned onto his right hand post by Saints keeper Ludovic Roy.

Motherwell then took command and Roy had to produce a string of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay.

In a rare Saints breakaway Strong appeared to handle a Fenton cross but play was allowed to continue.

On the half hour Motherwell's pressure paid off when they took the lead.

McCulloch got the goal - sending a looping header in at the far post from a Scott Leitch cross.

Gillies was booked in the 34th minute and as Motherwell continued to attack Roy produced an amazing save to deny McCulloch.

Goodman, who had been booked for a foul in the 29th minute, went down in the Saints box and referee Willie Young decided he had dived and showed a second yellow to the striker.

At half-time, Motherwell kept Derek Adams inside and sent on former Scotland cap Spencer which proved to be an inspired move as the substitute produced the moment of magic which won the tie.

A weak-headed clearance fell to him 25 yards out in the 63rd minute and he drilled the ball low into the left hand corner of the net.

But Saints seldom looked like salvaging the match not even after Strong was red carded for a second booking nine minutes from time.

Quitongo did score a late consolation goal for the home side but it was no more than a gesture.

Teams:

St Mirren: Roy, Turner, Walker, McKenzie (Yardley 67), Rudden, Murray, Baltacha, Gillies, Kerr, Fenton (Quitongo 63), Renfurm (McGarry 56).

Subs Not Used: Nellis, Nicolson.

Booked: Gillies, Fenton, Walker.

Goals: Quitongo 89.

Motherwell: Goram, Corrigan, Brannan, Strong, Kemble, McCulloch (Twaddle 75), Goodman, Hammell, Leitch, Adams (Spencer 46), Townsley.

Subs Not Used: Woods, Lasley, Oueifio.

Sent Off: Goodman (36), Strong (82).

Booked: Goodman, Strong, Leitch, Spencer.

Goals: McCulloch 32, Spencer 64.

Att: 5,002

Ref: W Young (Scotland).