St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson feels a Hampden trip is just reward for his players' hard work during their 3-0 victory over Motherwell.

Saints harried Motherwell out of their stride in the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final for the second time in four days.

And unlike Saturday, when Well came from two goals down to draw 3-3 at St Mirren Park, MacPherson's side held firm at the back.

"I don't think there are many teams with a better work ethic than ours," MacPherson said.

"We see every day in training what they put into it and the way they apply themselves.

"The last couple of games are a perfect example of how they go about their business and stopped a very good Motherwell team from getting into a passing rhythm.

"It's credit to them that Motherwell changed their system to go with an extra defender."

Jim Gannon brought in Shaun Hutchinson to switch to a 3-4-3 formation but Saturday's failings reappeared as they gave away possession too often and struggled to cope with Andy Dorman's runs from midfield.

"We almost fell into that shape anyway because of the way their centre-forwards played on Saturday so we thought we might as well use the appropriate players in the appropriate positions," Gannon said.

"We never really got into our stride, which was credit to St Mirren, and too many times the technical side of the game let us down - poor control, poor touches, poor shots, poor crosses, poor decision-making.

"In that regard St Mirren were much more solid in everything they did."

Dorman, playing in left midfield against the attack-minded wing-back Yassin Moutaouakil, won and delivered the free-kick that led to Michael Higdon's 23rd-minute headed opener.

And, after Jack Ross's deflected second, Dorman's bursting run and low cross led to Stephen Craigan's 80th-minute own goal.

Gannon said: "It was a poor challenge from Yass, we talked abut the dangers from set-plays and that was the turning point.

"We had chances but, on reflection of the whole game, perhaps we didn't deserve to come away with anything.

"But if we had got a goal it would maybe have breathed more life into us and given us some confidence."