League Cup roundup: No shocks as SPL clubs make it safely through DUNDEE United, Inverness, St Johnstone and St Mirren all advanced to the quarter finals of the League Cup tonight, overcoming lower league opposition. Inverness were taken to penalties by Stenhousemuir at Ochilview, eventually triumphing 6-5, whilst Dundee United recorded a narrow 1-0 win over in-form Queen of the South. A last-minute winner from Lee Mair meant St Mirren knocked out Hamilton and St Johnstone put four past ten-man Queen's Park at McDiarmid Park. Queen of the South 0-1 Dundee United JOHNNY Russell sent Dundee United into the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-finals as the Tayside club's first goal in four games ended Queen of the South's unbeaten start to the season. Russell converted Michael Gardyne's cross at the second attempt in the 28th minute as United edged a tight first half at Palmerston. Daly came close to doubling the lead moments later with a powerful curling effort from 20 yards that had Robinson beaten but just cleared the top corner. The hosts responded well though and Gibson again caused problems with his deliveries, including a free-kick that found Nicky Clark. The striker escaped his marker and got a header on target but Cierzniak pushed over the bar. Queens stepped up their response after the break, pressing United deep in their half and testing the SPL side with a number of crosses but Queens were unable to find a way through despite their continuing efforts. St Johnstone 4-1 Queen's Park A FIRST-half double from new striker Steven MacLean followed by late goals from Murray Davidson and substitute Liam Craig sealed the third-round tie for Steve Lomas" side who survived a slight scare when midfielder Michael Keenan levelled for the plucky visitors on the half-hour mark. Queen's Park were reduced to 10 men when full-back Andrew Robertson was shown a straight red card from referee Kevin Clancy for a late lunge on Gary Miller before Davidson and Craig both struck. After 17 minutes one-time Rangers prospect MacLean bundled the hosts ahead from close range. On the half-hour mark, Michael Keenan made it 1-1 with a spectacular 40-yard effort which Tuffey looked to have covered until it flew under his body and went in off the post. Davidson made it 3-1 shortly after Robertson was sent off with a cool 18-yard finish from Tade's cut-back, before substitute Craig's sweet volley from inside the penalty area sent Saints comfortably, in the end, through to the last eight. St Mirren 1-0 Hamilton LEE Mair grabbed a last-gasp winner as St Mirren scraped past Hamilton into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup. The meeting at St Mirren Park appeared to be heading for extra-time, with nothing to separate the two sides until Mair struck deep into injury-time to ensure the Buddies" name would be in the draw for the next round. The first chance fell to Saints in the opening minute when Kenny McLean burst into the box only to drag his shot just wide of the upright. At the other end, Hamilton should have opened the scoring when Louis Longridge raced on to a James Keatings ball and saw his effort fizz across the face of goal and wide when he should have hit the target. Saints looked slightly more threatening in front of goal in the second half, with a thunderous 25-yard free-kick from Carey forcing an impressive save from Kevin Cuthbert. The pressure finally paid off deep into injury time when Mair threw himself in front of Carey's corner and his header found the back of the net with seconds to go. Stenhousemuir 1-1 Inverness CT (aet; ICT win 6-5 on penalties) BROWN Ferguson's 40th minute penalty cancelled out Billy McKay's opening goal, with both sides seeing plenty of the ball in the second half without making a breakthrough. Richie Foran hit the post with the first penalty, with Ferguson and Andy Rodgers converting for the home side whilst Graeme Shinnie and Ross Draper scoring for Inverness. Stenhousemuir's Bryan Hodge then missed his penalty, with Aaron Doran, John McMillan, Andrew Shinnie and Ross McMillan finding the net. With the penalty shoot-out into sudden death, Ross Draper put Inverness in front, but was cancelled out by Stewart Kean's strike. Philip Roberts then fired Inverness back in front, with Ryan Esson pulling off a good save from Darren Smith to send the SPL side into the quarter finals.