Dundee United displayed the necessary artificial intelligence to cruise past East Stirlingshire with the minimum of fuss. The Tannadice side adjusted to Ochilview's astrograss surface with consummate ease to book a fifth-round tie with Hamilton Academical.

The game was over as a contest by the time both teams retreated to the warmth of the dressing rooms at the interval. Goals from Prince Buaben, Darren Dods and Jon Daly had United 3-0 up at that point. Jonny Russell's penalty capped a routine win.

"It was a professional performance," said Craig Levein, the Dundee United manager. "After we scored the first goal, we dropped the tempo but we managed to get it going again. We have good players here but the attitude had to be right.

"I'm not even thinking about the next round just now. It'll be a hard tie against Hamilton. Any draw away from home against an SPL side is tough."

With a strong gale swirling around Ochilview prior to kick-off, referee Mike Tumilty closely monitored pre-match conditions before giving his blessing for the game to commence.

Watching the East Stirlingshire players valiantly attempt to control an elusive ball during a possession drill in the warm-up, you feared the wind would spoil the game. That didn't prove to be the case, although one wind-assisted Danny Swanson corner almost landed in Falkirk town centre.

United, the form team in Scotland, were never likely to be troubled by Jim McInally's improving side but Levein wasn't taking any chances. Barring the suspended Lee Wilkie and injured Scott Robertson, this was virtually a full-strength line-up.

With the wind at their backs, the home side attempted to put United under early pressure. David Dunn's 45-yard free-kick was wildly ambitious, but Colin Cramb spurned a gilt-edged opening with a weak chip when put through by Craig Donaldson.

"I heard a whistle," said a sheepish Cramb afterwards. "A few of the boys said they heard it, too. Otherwise, I would have taken the ball in on goal. I don't think it would have made any difference though - they never came out of second gear."

United soon monopolised possession and started to create chances. At the heart of it all was the cultured Morgaro Gomis, who hardly broke sweat as he effortlessly dictated play from his central midfield berth.

Ghanaian midfielder Buaben burst the dam in 15 minutes. Paul Dixon fed Daly, whose sublime flick was rifled home from 18 yards by the man with the best name in Scottish football.

Despite the obvious gulf in class, the home side made a game of it for 20 minutes. Andy Rodgers, Brian Graham and Michael Bolochoweckyj all had efforts without really troubling Lukasz Zaluska.

United, though, were warming up and the second goal arrived when Dods battered home a Dixon corner. The marking for that strike was non-existent and it didn't improve for No.3.

This time, Sean Dillon linked with the ubiquitous Willo Flood on the right wing and sent a delightful cross into the box. Daly's bullet header flew past Jamie Newman.

The second half was only 10 minutes old when Russell made it 4-0 from the spot. The 18-year-old spun past Bolochoweckyj and sped into the box, only to be caught by Craig Tully as he prepared to shoot. Russell rolled the spot-kick into the corner.

"We should have done a bit better when we had the wind at our backs," said McInally. "Colin Cramb's chance was a big one. When you get an opening like that against the top teams, you need to take them."