Hibernian eased their way through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup as two first-half goals secured a 2-0 win over First Division side Ayr United.
Roy O'Donovan headed Hibs into a sixth-minute lead before Leigh Griffiths doubled their advantage from the penalty spot 13 minutes later, after Andrew Geggan was adjudged to have blocked Isaiah Osbourne at a Hibs corner.
Ayr's Chris Smith and Geggan were both denied by Graham Stack as Brian Reid's side failed to repeat last season's cup win against Hibs, whose quest for a first Scottish Cup win since 1902 continues.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh rivals Hearts will have to do it all again with St Mirren after their tie at Tynecastle ended in a 2-2 draw.
The visitors had a strong claim for an early penalty when Gary Teale's shot appeared to come off the hand of Danny Grainger but referee Stevie O'Reilly waved away the appeals.
The Buddies had made a whirlwind start and took a deserved lead in the 27th minute when Graham Carey sent a left-footed free-kick through a gap in the Hearts wall and into the net from 20 yards.
However, Hearts stunned their opponents with a 37th-minute equaliser when Craig Beattie scored his first goal for the club by heading Grainger's corner past Craig Samson.
The Jambos thought they had taken the lead in first-half stoppage time when Beattie converted at the back post following Ian Black's wayward shot but he had already been flagged offside.
The former Celtic striker turned provider in the second half when he crossed for Rudi Skacel to bullet a header past Samson and seize the advantage for the Jambos in the 48th minute.
However, Hearts were left frustrated in the 84th minute when Nigel Hasselbaink's effort was turned into his own net by Marius Zaliukas to level matters.
The two Scottish Premier League sides will face each other in a replay on March 21 for a place in the final four.
Holders Celtic are away to Dundee United on Sunday, while Motherwell host Aberdeen in the final quarter-final tie.
In the only SPL match to be played on Saturday, Inverness and Kilmarnock played out a 1-1 draw.
Source: AFP
