Roy O'Donovan and Leigh Griffiths were on target as Hibernian beat Irn-Bru First Division side Ayr United 2-0 at Somerset Park to secure a place in the semi-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
In a lively start by the visitors O'Donovan headed in a George Francomb free-kick after six minutes.
In the 19th minute Griffiths made it number two from the spot after Ayr defender Andrew Geggan had fouled Hibs midfielder Isaiah Osbourne at a corner.
A huge travelling support added to a cracking atmosphere the Hibs fans were treated to an encouraging start. O'Donovan, on loan from Coventry, had the ball in the Ayr net in the fourth minute after Ivan Sproule's drive from 16 yards was spilled by Kevin Cuthbert, but the flag was up for offside.
But the fans only had to wait two more minutes for the opener. When Francomb whipped his free-kick in from wide on the left it found O'Donovan drifting into the box unmarked and his header beat Cuthbert and went in off the post.
The home side missed a great chance to draw level when Michael McGowan's free-kick was met by Ayr defender Chris Smith only six yards out but he failed to make proper contact, allowing Hibs keeper Graham Stack to smother.
Two minutes later it looked like Geggan grabbed Osbourne at a Francomb corner and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot and Griffiths scored number two from the spot.
Cuthbert was called into action again just four minutes after the break when he had to block a shot from O'Donovan, but Ayr almost got the lifeline they so desperately needed in the 56th minute. Stack made a great point-blank save from Geggan who had bulleted in a header from a McGowan cross.
Griffiths then missed a great chance to finish Ayr off when he raced through clear on goal, only to slash his shot wide of the target. There was a vociferous appeal for an Ayr penalty in the 82nd minute when Hibs substitute Matt Doherty appeared to handle the ball as he fell in the box but the referee ignored the claims.
Having given themselves too much to do after going behind so early in the game, the home side ran out of steam, but Hibs can look forward to a semi-final at Hampden.
