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A horrible late fumble by Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis gifted St Mirren a 2-1 win and a place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup.

Jamie McGrath's shot from outside the box with just two minutes left slipped through the grasp of the goalkeeper.

St Mirren led through Ilkay Durmus' free-kick and could have doubled their lead when Richard Tait hit a post.

But Niall McGinn levelled for Aberdeen just before the interval before a cagey second half was decided at the death.

St Mirren join Alloa Athletic, Dunfermline Athletic, Hibernian, Livingston, St Johnstone and the winners of Sunday's two ties in the quarter-final draw.

The opener came after a strong opening from the hosts, Jonny Hayes fouling Dylan Connolly in the inside right channel and Durmus caressing the ball up and over the wall past Lewis.

It almost got worse for the visitors when Tait rattled the base of the left-hand post from outside the box.

St Mirren claimed unsuccessfully for a penalty when Tommie Hoban challenged Jonathan Obika for a header then Connolly turned his man to test Lewis with a fierce drive.

Obika was then presented with an excellent chance after Andy Considine's slack clearance but the striker shot wide with Lewis scrambling at his feet.

And St Mirren soon rued that miss as Hayes' cross deflected into the path of McGinn and the Northern Ireland winger forced the ball past Jak Alnwick.

But McGinn did not re-appear for the second half as he and Main were replaced by Michael Devlin and Curtis Main at the break.

The changes gave Aberdeen the discernible shape they had largely been missing in the first half and they created more openings.

Hoban headed wide at a corner, Main drew a save from Alnwick, and the striker later insisted his shot had been blocked by a hand, the officials again allowing play to continue.

Marcus Fraser and substitute Junior Morias were denied by Lewis as legs tired and extra-time loomed.

But McGrath secured the win St Mirren's performance deserved, albeit aided by Lewis' blunder.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "We completely dominated the opening 45 minutes. It would've been easy for the players to feel sorry for themselves. If we were 3-0 up there couldn't have been any arguments. I asked the players to show a good reaction and every one of them did that.

"The main reason we won was because of the midfield three, they were outstanding and they won every second ball. It's important we don't get carried away now."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "Over the 90-minute performance, I would say St Mirren were the better side. I thought the game was eking towards extra-time. The goal really came out of nothing.

"Joe's been outstanding for me and mistakes happen. It's just unfortunate that that's a mistake that puts us out the cup. It was more than that that was at fault and Joe's just as likely to save us and win us so many points in a season."