Ten-man Dundee United survived intense late pressure from fourth-tier Spartans to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
Centre-half Iurie Iovu was sent off after only 12 minutes for a bodycheck on Cammy Russell.
But captain Ross Graham headed the hosts ahead before the break and Amar Fatah added the hosts’ second.
Mark Stowe’s deflected strike with 12 minutes remaining gave Spartans late hope, but a tiring United held on to secure a visit to Premiership rivals Falkirk in the last eight.
In a double blow for the part-time Edinburgh visitors, who had been looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, they were overtaken at the top of League 2 after East Kilbride’s thumping 6-1 thumping of hosts Elgin City.
United manager Jim Goodwin was wary of a repeat of the cup exit that still gives him nightmares – when sixth-tier Darvel ousted his Aberdeen side.
His fears would have intensified when Iovu was shown a straight red card by referee Grant Irvine after the centre-half halted a mazy run by the flying Russell 25 yards from goal.
United argued that it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity, but with no VAR in operation, there was no chance of the decision being overturned.
Spartans had looked comfortable on the ball and, if anything, were the better side until that moment.
However, the greater quality of the 10 men gradually started to take control and centre-half Graham lost his marker and rose to head home Will Ferry’s corner at the front post.
Spartans started the second half brightly and defender Ayrton Sonkur headed wide only for United to stretch their lead with a breakaway goal as winger Fatah flicked over goalkeeper Paddy Martin.
United counterpart Ashley Maynard-Brewer had to parry clear a powerful drive from midfielder James Craigen before being beaten by substitute forward Stowe’s looping drive.
However, Spartans were unable to repeat the victory in their only previous meeting with United – in the League Cup in July 2023 – but had done Dougie Samuel proud in his 5000th day in charge of the visitors.
