There is a touch of frustration around Aberdeen as the club once dubbed the best in Europe in 1983 have waited 19 years since they last picked up the Scottish Cup.
Jimmy Calderwood took his troops to East End Park in an attempt to break that unwelcome statistic, to take on Dunfermline, a club that Calderwood had managed to take to a cup final in the past.
As impatient the Red Army may be for success, their passion is unrivalled and the travelling support had to be crammed into the Fife stadium, creating a rousing atmosphere in the process.
It was the Pars that had the first clear-cut chance of the match after 15 minutes as Stephen Glass' corner found an unmarked Nicky Phinn on the edge of the box but the midfielder ballooned his shot over the bar.
The Pars threatened once again ten minutes later when Jamie Mole's cross found Graham Bayne in the six-yard box but the striker's header flashed wide of the upright.
The Dons created their first chance in the 35th minute when Sone Aluko tried his luck from close range as his jersey was being pulled. Paul Gallacher pulled off a fantastic close-range save but the Dons were aggrieved not to get a penalty.
Gallacher was called on once again just before half-time to tip a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick over the bar as it curled dangerously close to the top corner.
The Dons finally made the breakthrough in the 61st minute after a long spell of pressure finally paid off as Aluko found the back of the net with an angled drive from the edge of the box.
Phinn thought he had equalised five minutes later as he raced into the box to meet Glass' corner but Jamie Langfield pulled off a miraculous reflex save to keep the Dons in front.
Aberdeen were content to sit back and ultimately paid the price as Jim McIntyre's men equalised with ten minutes remaining. Mole fired in a powerful effort from 25 yards that Langfield parried but the ball spilled into the path of Phinn who slid in to score.