Aberdeen FC are through to the Premier Sports Cup semi-final after a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Kilmarnock. The Dons secured their place against Rangers following a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park where they played the final half-hour with ten men.

Kevin Nisbet, the team's top scorer this season with two goals in six appearances, gave Aberdeen the lead in the 52nd minute. The advantage was short-lived after defender Daniel Happe was sent off five minutes later for a foul on Joe Hugill. Kilmarnock capitalised on the extra man almost immediately, with Tyreece John-Jules equalising from a free-kick.

Goalkeeper Marius Muller became the hero in the shootout, saving spot-kicks from John-Jules, Mark O'Hara and Aaron Tshibola. The win provides a significant boost for Stephen Robinson's side, who sit eighth in the Premiership with seven points from six games and had endured a winless league start.

Robinson's rebuilding belief

Manager Stephen Robinson acknowledged the progress is gradual. "I know that I've got the players behind me, I know that the players believe in what we're doing," he said. He added a note of realism about the club's trajectory. "It takes time, anybody that thought there was going to be an instant hit here is wrong."

The cup success follows a morale-boosting 4-0 league win over Motherwell last weekend. Robinson will hope the momentum continues into the next league fixture, a trip to face ninth-placed Hibernian on Saturday. The squad, currently missing Bradley Lyons, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Kristers Tobers and Kusini Yengi, will need to maintain this resilience. Check the latest availability on our injuries list.

This story first appeared at uk.sports.yahoo.com

Aberdeen drew 1-1 with Hibernian on September 19, extending their unbeaten run to three matches. Kevin Nisbet opened the scoring in the 17th minute, assisted by Gavin Molloy, but Martin Boyle equalised from a penalty for Hibs. The result leaves Stephen Robinson's side eighth in the Premiership with seven points from six games. Robinson made three second-half substitutions, including bringing on Daniel Happe, who was sent off in the previous cup tie. Aberdeen's next fixture is at home to St Johnstone on October 11.