Bell's First Division leaders St Mirren knocked Motherwell out of the Tennent's Scottish Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory at Love Street.

On-loan Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam struck twice and defender John Potter headed another as Saints avenged a CIS Cup defeat to Well earlier this season.

Saints' first win over the Bank of Scotland Premier League side since 1990 came easy as Well failed to trouble the home keeper.

The Buddies brought in defender Ian Maxwell and Adam for the injured Kirk Broadfoot and Hugh Murray with new signings Iain Anderson and Tony Bullock on the bench.

Well brought in Alan McCormack for the suspended centre-half Stephen Craigan with the midfielder filling in at right-back as Martyn Corrigan moved inside.

The game got off to a scrappy start after a 10-minute delay to allow the away fans to take their seats.

Saints had the first sight of goal when Stewart Kean got behind Corrigan, but sliced his shot well wide from a tight angle.

Well striker Jim Hamilton went close in the 12th minute when he beat Saints keeper Chris Smith to the ball but headed just wide.

The Well defence was looking far from assured and Mark Corcoran raced on to a long ball in the 17th minute which split the back-four.

He rounded Graeme Smith but hit the post after being pushed wide by the Well keeper's attempts to block.

Two minutes later, Kean blasted over from 12 yards after a deep free-kick.

And, within a minute, the striker shot straight at Smith from slightly further out after being put through by Adam.

The Buddies did take the lead in the 22nd minute when Corcoran headed the ball past the uncharacteristically shaky Corrigan, got to the by-line and cut back for Adam to slot home from eight yards.

In the 32nd minute, Motherwell finally enjoyed a spell of possession and Richie Foran's cross from the left found Scott McDonald unmarked but his header bounced safely into Smith's arms.

Foran showed his frustration when he was booked for a foul on the keeper.

Well boss Terry Butcher brought on William Kinniburgh at half-time to form a three-man defence with McCormack and Steven Hammell pushing forward.

It took 11 minutes for the visitors to register a shot on goal though, with Brian Kerr's 25-yard effort lacking power and going straight into Smith's arms.

Kerr almost found Scott McDonald with a dinked pass into the box but, again, it fell to Smith.

Corcoran got to the by-line again at the other end with more trickery but, this time, his cut-back evaded his team-mates.

McDonald then set up Kerr for another 25-yard effort but his strike sailed over.

Saints were pressing Motherwell whenever they approached the last third.

They were also looking threatening on the counter-attack and doubled their lead in the 74th minute.

Simon Lappin's free-kick found defender Potter unmarked and he headed into the top corner from 15 yards out.

Well brought on striker David Clarkson and he had their next effort at goal but it sailed over from 25 yards out.

Anderson made his debut in place of the impressive Corcoran and Saints easily saw off any attempts at a comeback.

Indeed, they made it three in injury-time when Adam latched on to John Sutton's attempt to run through on goal and the midfielder slotted past the onrushing Smith.

Teams

St Mirren Smith, van Zanten, Millen, McGowne, Maxwell, Reid, Potter, Lappin, Corcoran (Anderson 86), Kean (Sutton 70), Adam.

Subs Not Used: McKenna, Reilly, Bullock.

Goals: Adam 22, Potter 74, Adam 90.

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Kerr (Clarkson 75), McCormack, Hammell, Steve McDonald, McBride, O'Donnell, McLean, Hamilton, Foran (Kinniburgh 45).

Subs Not Used: Fitzpatrick, Darren Lee Smith, Meldrum.

Booked: Foran.

Att: 6,507

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).