Jamie McGrath brace helps Aberdeen see off Kilmarnock in Scottish Cup, with manager Neil Warnock stepping down after the game

Neil Warnock has stepped down as Aberdeen manager after guiding the club into the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-finals.

A 3-1 quarter-final victory over Kilmarnock proved to be the final match of the 75-year-old's short spell in charge.

Warnock was handed the job until the end of the season after Barry Robson was sacked but did not enjoy a cinch Premiership win in six matches.

The Dons stated that Warnock had "stepped aside" and chairman Dave Cormack added on Aberdeen's website: "The club would like to thank both Neil and Ronnie Jepson for their efforts.

"With the search for a new manager at an advanced stage, Peter Leven will assume control of all first team matters until the process is concluded."

Republic of Ireland international Jamie McGrath hit an early opener and rounded off the scoring during a comfortable second half for the home side at Pittodrie.

Graeme Shinnie had put the Dons two ahead and Kilmarnock could not make the most of the lifeline afforded by Danny Armstrong's strike late in the first half.

Warnock had faced questions about his future ahead of the game. A run of 10 games without a league victory in total sees the Dons in third-bottom place and Killie have taken nine points off them this season.

But Aberdeen had not lost in 13 previous Scottish Cup meetings with Killie and the cups continue to be a bright spot in Aberdeen's difficult league campaign, with the victory sealing a third trip to Hampden so far.
Aberdeen's 11th-minute opener came as a result of a long ball from Stefan Gartenmann, which was just too high for Stuart Findlay to properly head clear.

Bojan Miovski's backheel put Junior Hoilett in behind and McGrath was on hand to knock home the rebound after Will Dennis stopped the winger's shot.

Kilmar