Hibernian substitute Tom McManus headed his side into the last four of the Scottish Cup with a dramatic last-minute winner to break Kilmarnock's hearts at Rugby Park.

The two sides looked set for a stalemate after an enthralling Cup tie but young striker McManus had other ideas.

McManus, who scored the winner in the last round against Stirling Albion, produced the heroics when he connected with Russell Latapy's free-kick in the dying moments of the game.

But there might be a price to pay for the Edinburgh side after they lost both Franck Sauzee and Ulrik Laursen to injury in the first period.

However justice was done as Hibs created enough chances to have won it before the last-gasp dramatics.

Marc Libbra's audacious back-heel sent John O'Neil on a run and he exchanged passes with Latapy but Chris Innes blocked his first effort and he then drove just over from 10 yards.

Then Latapy found space on the edge of the area in the 10th minute but his right-foot screamer again flew just over.

David Zitelli was trying his best to create something out of the blue with some delicate touches as Hibernian played the more attractive football as Kilmarnock found it difficult to create anything worthwhile early on.

Hibernian almost took the lead in the 23rd minute when Latapy played a one-two with Libbra but Gus MacPherson made a vital interception in the area to put the ball behind for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Kilmarnock goalkeeper Gordon Marshall made a total hash in his efforts to claim it but fortunately the ball evaded the Hibernian players.

The visitors, however, suffered a big blow in the 26th minute when Sauzee was forced to leave the field with a leg injury to be replaced by Ian Murray.

But that did not disrupt Hibernian too much and Marshall had to get down well to his left to deny the impressive Libbra's snap-shot from the edge of the area.

McLeish was forced to re-shuffle again in the 33rd minute as Laursen hobbled off to be replaced by experienced striker Paatelainen, who moved into an unusual wide role.

Kilmarnock took heart from their opponents' misfortune and a minute later they carved out a great chance.

Holt crossed the ball from the by-line and Alan Mahood produced an acrobatic over-head kick which flew just over the bar.

Mahood, however, blotted his copybook in the 39th minute after hacking down Libbra, who was a constant menace.

But O'Neil should have put Hibernian in front with just two minutes remaining in the half when he robbed Mahood, but he chose to square for Zitelli instead of going alone.

The Frenchman also seemed shocked and slipped and then went down theatrically under the challenge of Frederic Dindeleux in the box but referee Mike McCurry waved away appeals for a penalty.

Hibernian started the second half as they finished the first and still looked the most likely side to produce a goal.

But referee McCurry made the first mark of the period within four minutes of the re-start when he took the name of O'Neil for a late tackle on Mahood.

McLeish replaced Zitelli with McManus in the 61st minute while Kilmarnock gambled on the fitness of creative winger McLaren as he came on for Wright on the hour.

As the minutes ticked down the nerves of both sides were being tested and in the 77th minute the ball broke to O'Neil in the Kilmarnock box, but his shot was saved by Marshall.

Sub Peter Canero wriggled free in the Hibernian box two minutes later but he could not pick out one of his team-mates in the centre and Gary Smith cleared the danger.

Hibernian reacted with a quick break upfield and Stuart Lovell's cross found Grant Brebner in the centre but his header was saved by Marshall in the Kilmarnock goal.

With nine minutes remaining former Rangers striker Ally McCoist replaced Kevin McGowne and the stage looked set for the veteran to produce the heroics.

But it was Hibernian striker McManus who had the final word when he headed the winner in the dying seconds from Latapy's free-kick to send his side into the semi-final of the Scottish Cup for the second successive year.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson (Canero 56), McGowne (McCoist 81), Innes, Dindeleux, Mahood, Holt, Reilly, Baker, Cocard, Wright (McLaren 60).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Hay.

Booked: Mahood, McLaren.

Hibernian: Colgan, Laursen (Paatelainen 32), Sauzee (Murray 25), Gary Smith, Lovell, Brebner, Latapy, O'Neil, Fenwick, Zitelli (McManus 60), Libbra.

Subs Not Used: Franks, Andrews.

Booked: O'Neil, Zitelli.

Goals: McManus 90.

Att: 8,287

Ref: Mike McCurry (Scotland).