Asante Kotoko needed a Kofi Nti Boakye second half strike to beat Hasaacas 1-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium in the round of 32 in the Ghana MTN FA Cup.
Reserve team star Alhassan Abubakar came off the bench to turn architect for Nti Boakye to fire home the winner for the Porcupine Warriors.
Boakye took advantage of a goal-mouth scramble to punish the second-tier side.
Hasaacas proved a handful for the Ghana Premier League leaders and caused Kotoko to leave dangerously but were unable to score.
There was an injury scare when left-back Gideon Baah, who was playing his first senior team match since breaking his leg two years ago, needed attention from the medical team before continuing play.
Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu made changes after the break and his tactical decisions yielded dividends.
Hasaacas goalkeeper Joseph Abbey stole the show with impressive saves to deny Kotoko the second goal of the afternoon.
At the Golden City Park, Berekum Chelsea thumped Unity Stars FC 3-0 to book a place in the round of 16.
Eduard Jembaye headed home the opener for the defending league champions on 35 minutes before Awudu Nafiu increased it to two five minutes later.
Jembaye put the game beyond Unity FC by scoring the third on 75 minutes.
At the Tema Park, struggling top flight side Berekum Arsenal exited the competition after slipping to a disgraceful 4-2 defeat to second-tier side Inter Allies.
Ghana Under-20 striker Abdul Fatau converted from the spot on 14 minutes after Arsenal defender Daniel Oppong had fouled an Inter Allies striker inside the box.
Laud Ofosuhene increased the tally for Allies by brilliantly shooting beyond experienced Osei Boateng.
Francis Aggrey halved the deficit for Arsenal nine minutes before the break but Lloyd Ofosuhene scored again in the 43rd minute to keep Allies firmly in control.
Inter Allies scored again twenty minutes after the break before Arsenal pulled one back.
Sporting Mirren guided by experienced Dauda Luttrodt beat Deportivo 3-0 to progress.
In-form AshantiGold needed a Yakubu Mohammed goal to post a 1-0 win over King Faisal at the Baba Yara Stadium.Â