Scottish Cup: 2021 winners dumped out amid trio of upsets as SPFL boss resigns after 4-0 defeat

Rankin made the decision to step down amid claims that the crisis-hit League One club are on the verge of administration after failing to pay staff wages on time on Friday.

Lewis McGrattan struck twice for Airdrie with his second-half double sandwiched between two goals in three minutes from Chris Mochrie and Euan Henderson’s penalty.

Elsewhere, Championship leaders St Johnstone were dumped out of the cup by League One strugglers Cove Rangers in one of three third round upsets.

Saints, who lifted the trophy as recently as 2021, appeared on course for a routine victory when Uche Ikpeazu fired home from close range on 25 minutes to open the scoring for the hosts.

However, Cove found an equaliser with 16 minutes remaining through Mitch Megginson to take the game to extra-time with Adam Emslie netting a shock winner for the visitors in the 100th minute.

Two sixth tier clubs also booked their place in the hat courtesy of victories over League Two opposition.

Auchinleck Talbot produced a stunning performance to win 4-0 at Dumbarton with Connor Boyd and Kyle McAvoy netting doubles for the West of Scotland League side while Camelon of the East of Scotland League were 2-1 victors at home to Edinburgh City thanks to Dean Watson's dramatic winner in added time.

Dougie Imrie secured a victory in his first match in charge of Raith Rovers with Jordan Docherty's first-half strike enough to edge past Alloa Athletic at Stark's Park.

Imrie's former club Morton required penalties to overcome Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium where the visitors played from the 73rd minute with 10 men. Tomi Adeloye netted a double for Morton before seeing red while Niall McGinn and Kieran Shanks found the net for the hosts, the latter forcing extra-time with a 95th minute leveller.

The Championship side, who had technical director Billy Davies in the dugout, held their nerve in the shoot-out with James Storer saving Jason Brown's effort before Cammy Ballantyne netted the decisive spot-kick to seal a 5-3 win.

Innes Murray and Alex Ferguson were on target for Kelty Hearts in their 2-0 home win against Highland League leaders Brechin, who had Cillian Sheridan sent off in the second half.

Early goals from Kieran Watson and Mark Stowe proved enough for Spartans in a 2-1 win in their first-ever Scottish Cup tie against Lowland League side Bonnyrigg Rose, who pulled one back through Neil Martyniuk’s first-half penalty.

Curtis Main, Dylan Watret and Dom Thomas were all on the scoresheet as Ayr cruised to a 3-0 home win against Turriff United and Stenhousemuir also eased to victory against Highland League opposition, 4-1 at home against Clachnacuddin.

Jack Murray levelled deep in time added on and then scored in extra time as Elgin beat fellow League Two side Stirling Albion 4-2.

Partick Thistle won 2-0 at Forfar and fellow Championship sides Dunfermline and Arbroath progressed with wins against Queen of the South and East Fife respectively.

Highland League sides Banks O’Dee and Buckie Thistle and West of Scotland League side Benburb lost to Ross County, Montrose and Annan respectively.

Ryan Edgar scored an extra-time winner as Stranraer edged past 10-man Lowland League side Clydebank, who had Adam Hodge sent off, 2-1 at Stair Park.

The fourth round draw, which sees the 12 Premiership clubs enter the hat, takes place on Sportscene on Sunday evening with the programme starting at 7.15pm on the BBC Scotland channel.