Well in control for most of the game the converted spot kick lifted the home side but they failed to create another chance. There were two changes to the side that defeated Hibs last week, Kyle Hutton was back from injury and Dylan McGeough dropped to the bench. With Gregg Wylde unavailable, sixteen year old Ewan McNeil came in for his debut at this level.
Rangers took the lead on nine minutes with the first effort on target in the game. A Rhys McCabe corner from the right was headed past keeper Scott Bain by the unmarked Kyle Hutton. Almost straight from the kick off the goalscorer lost possession 30 yards from goal to Nicky Low who then went past Chris Scott and shot narrowly over from the edge of the box.
That was a rare forray into the Rangers box and it was no surprise when Rangers increased their lead on 17 minutes. Kamil Wiktorski strode forward from midfield and played a one two with McCabe, who set the Polish youngster up perfectly to volley past Bain from just inside the box. Rangers were pretty much in control and the home side's only other effort in the first half came when Stirling Smith shot over from long-range, Grant Adam having the shot covered.
Half Time:-Aberdeen 0 Rangers 2
Aberdeen came out for the second half looking to make an impact and Callum McRobbie sent Low down the left and only a great challenge from Darren Cole cleared the danger from his low cross. On 57 minutes it was down the same flank that the home side threatened. Dean Jarvis, Low and McRobbie combined and Mitchell Megginson got a touch on the later's cross, the ball looped up towards the far post where Adam saved without too much difficulty.
On the hour mark Dylan McGeough was fouled wide on the right and from Ewan McNeil's free kick McCabe headed powerfully goalwards but Bain reacted to save. Five minutes later Gilli Sorensen brought out a diving save from Adam when his cut inside Darren Cole.
With 10 minutes remaining a mixup between Chris Scott and Adam almost gave Megginson a chance, but the keeper and defender managed to scramble the ball clear. A couple of minutes later and McCabe went close again with a header, this time from a McGeough corner, his effort going just wide of the post with Bain beaten.
With three minutes of the ninety remaining Aberdeen where thrown an unlikely lifeline. Adam parried a Nicky Low shot from the edge of the box, the ball going to Jack Grimmer. With Aberdeen substitute running away from goal along the byline Adams challenge was unneccessary, but the Rangers keeper sent him tumbling for a clear penalty. Up stepped Mitchel Megginson and he was a little fortunate to see his weak shot squirm under keeper Adam.
This set up a nervy last few minutes, but with the home side failing to creat another chance the Ibrox youngsters progressed to the next round.
Full Time:- Aberdeen 1 Rangers 2
Aberdeen:- Scott Bain; Stirling Smith,Joe Shaughnessy, Scott Ross, Dean Jarvis; Gilli Sorensen (Jack Grimmer 84mins), Ryan Jack, Hallur Hannson (Clark Robertson 68 mins), Nicky Low; Callum McRobbie, Mitchel Megginson.
Not Used:- Prezmyslaw Lukasik, Anthony Bolger, Jordon Brown
Rangers:- Grant Adam; Ewan McNeil, Chris Scott, Scott Durie, Darren Cole; Kyle Hutton (Dylan McGeough 56mins), Rhys McCabe, Kamil Wiktorski, Jamie Ness; Archie Campbell, Kane Hemmings
Not Used:- Blair Currie, Kyle McAusland, Gordon Dick, Max Wright
Many thanks for the reproduction of this article to Elfideldo at http://rfcyouths.wordpress.com