Aberdeen ended a 50-year wait to gain Scottish Cup revenge against Queen of the South and record the rare back-to-back win demanded by new manager Steve Paterson.

Derek Young made the most of his re-call to this starting line-up in place of the cup-tied Leigh Hinds by giving the Scottish Premier League strugglers an early lead.

Strike partner Laurent D'Jaffo ended his five-month goal drought by adding the second.

And Scotland defender Russell Anderson put the tie beyond the First Division visitors with the third after only 25 minutes to book a trip to Dundee in the fourth round.

Laurent D'Jaffo scored twice for Aberdeen

Peter Weatherson gave the visitors a late consolation goal before D'Jaffo added a fourth for Aberdeen, both strikers hitting the target in stoppage time.

The last time the two teams met in Scottish Cup action, the Dumfries side had won the replay 2-1 at Pittodrie.

But they arrived this time without the injured Andy Goram, the veteran former Scotland goalkeeper who was inspirational in the goal-less draw at Palmerston Park that earned the Dumfries side a replay.

They also faced an Aberdeen side who had put poor form behind them to record a more heartening 3-0 Scottish Premier League victory over Dundee United on Sunday.

Steve Paterson put his faith in the same line-up, minus the enforced replacement of Hinds with Young, one of a host of Pittodrie players fighting for a new contract.

The manager demanded an end to the inconsistency that had led to just one previous back-to-back win this season.

And Young responded following 15 minutes of intense home pressure after stand-in goalkeeper Colin Scott had turned a D'Jaffo header past the post.

Young pounced to drive the ball home after Sheerin's dipping corner caused a penalty-box scramble.

Russell Anderson grabbed the third goal

Queen of the South kept battling and, four minutes later, Dons goalkeeper did well to black a 16-yard drive from John O'Neil after the midfielder was sent clean through on goal by Sean O'Connor.

But Aberdeen's extra class was evident as defender Stephen Payne crossed for D'Jaffo to dive athletically and head home the second at the back post.

It was three soon after, Anderson climbing high above the defence to meet Chris Clark's corner.

The agony for Doonhamers boss John Connolly was compounded four minutes into the second half, when O'Connor slipped awkwardly.

O'Connor lay in agony on the turf for several minutes before the club doctor called on the paramedics to put the striker's leg in a protective splint before he was carried off to be replaced with Derek Lyle.

That injury dampened the cup fever and there was little goalmouth action until stoppage time.

Substitute Weatherson scored from the penalty spot after being brought down by Anderson before D'Jaffo got his head on the end of another Clark cross to restore the three-goal advantage.

Aberdeen: Preece, Anderson, McGuire (McAllister 76), Deloumeaux (Rutkiewicz 72), Payne, O'Donoghue, Tosh (Fabiano 76), Sheerin, Clark, Derek Young, D'Jaffo.
Subs Not Used: Kjaer, Mackie.

Goals: Derek Young 16, D'Jaffo 22, Anderson 25, D'Jaffo 90.

Queen of the South: Scott, Aitken, Anderson, Thomson, Renicks, O'Neill (Weatherson 65), Bowey, McColligan, McLaughlin, O'Connor (Lyle 55), Paton (McAlpine 85).
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Allan.

Booked: Bowey.

Goal: Weatherson 90 pen.

Attendance: 6,150

Referee: Gary Mitchell.