Stephen Glass runs the gauntlet as Aberdeen support left dismayed by Scottish Cup exit at Motherwell

They might have struck early in a Scottish Cup tie at Fir Park but this is the only parallel between the current Aberdeen side and the great Pittodrie team of the 1980s on another bitterly disappointing away day.

Christian Ramirez evoked memories of John Hewitt’s fastest-ever Scottish Cup goal at the same stadium with the opener after three minutes. That is where the similarities ended. The current team do not even share many traits with sides from recent years.

Be hard to beat was Derek McInnes’ mantra. This was Aberdeen’s 11th defeat in 15 away games. Perhaps crucially, it took place in front of chairman Dave Cormack.

How he reacts remains to be seen. The loss certainly seemed to represent a tipping point for many supporters. Now deprived of the prospect of a Hampden visit, what is left of the season does not hold much appeal. Ninth-placed Aberdeen’s league season resumes on Tuesday when they host bottom club St Johnstone. Defeat is unthinkable.

No Aberdeen fan wanted to see goalkeeper Gary Woods’ desperate dash up the park to try and get on the end of a corner in the dying seconds though it did almost prompt enough chaos for the visitors to force an undeserved equaliser.

Christian Ramirez remains the one Aberdeen player absolved of criticism from fans. He almost kept his side in the cup for at least 30 more minutes after the ball dropped to him. His attempt to curl the ball into the corner and score his second of the afternoon was thwarted by a brilliant save from Liam Kelly.

It was notable that Ramirez was feted by the visiting fans as he left the pitch at the end. The same could not be said of his teammates and under pressure manager Stephen Glass, who ran a veritable gauntlet.

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