Dunfermline moved into the Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-finals thanks to a headed brace by Stephen Simmons.

The Pars are without a win in 13 league games but they deservedly added Partick Thistle to their cup scalps of Rangers and Hearts.

Simmons scored early in a first half the hosts dominated before finishing Thistle off with four minutes left after a spirited comeback attempt from the First Division side.

Stevie Crawford scored Dunfermline's first league goal in 10 games last week but the striker was demoted to the bench with Jim O'Brien moving inside.

Owen Morrison and Scott Morrison came in and on-loan Hibernian midfielder Stephen Glass was cup-tied.

Thistle also made two changes, with former Pars striker Simon Donnelly injured and Alan Archibald ineligible following an earlier appearance for Dundee United.

Former Dunfermline manager Dick Campbell recalled Pat Keogh and Derek Young, whose brother and former team-mate Darren was injured.

After a 10-minute delay to allow the visiting fans to fill their stand, Dunfermline wasted no time in taking control.

Owen Morrison cut in from the left and crossed for the onrushing Simmons to head low into the corner of the net in the fourth minute.

Thistle had failed to make the most of several set-pieces before Billy Gibson saw a 30-yard free-kick deflected just wide.

Partick were pushing forward at every opportunity and Darren Brady volleyed two yards over after a long ball.

Mark Roberts then slipped a pass through for Jimmy Gibson but Dorus De Vries rushed off his goalline to clear.

The Pars strengthened their grip on the game midway through the first half and hemmed Thistle back until the break.

Jags keeper Kenny Arthur was fortunate not to concede a penalty when he caught Adam Hammill late as the on-loan Liverpool winger headed Owen Morrison's cross just wide.

Hammill then put in a dangerous low cross that Thistle defender Scott Boyd sliced just beyond his far post.

Arthur brilliantly stopped O'Brien after Boyd was short with a headed backpass and referee Ian Brines rightly ignored protests from the home fans, who missed the keeper getting the ball before the man.

Morrison and Simmons almost combined for an identical second but the former Hearts midfielder headed inches wide.

Jimmy Gibson's powerful 30-yard strike flew just wide a minute after the restart but the visitors soon lost Barry Smith to injury. Winger Adam Strachan entered the fray and Billy Gibson moved to right-back.

Owen Morrison soon ran at the stand-in defender but slipped as he pulled the trigger 12 yards out.

The wide man came closer in the 59th minute when Hammill played him in but Morrison struck the far post.

Partick were competing well but struggling to build attacks and Roberts volleyed over with his back to goal 20 yards out.

But the Jags then threatened from a series of set-pieces and Pat Keogh should have done better when his free header sailed well wide.

Dunfermline were forced back now but De Vries comfortably saved Brady's volley from 25 yards.

Kenny brought on the defensive-minded Jamie McCunnie for the outstanding Owen Morrison and switched from what was at times a 4-2-4 to a 4-3-3 system.

The Pars regained the upper hand and Billy Gibson's superb goalmouth block denied Hammill, who shot just wide

moments later after a 50-yard run.

Thistle committed more men forward and were caught out in the 86th minute when Simmons headed in off the bar after O'Brien's cross from the byline.

Roberts curled just wide from inside the box in injury-time but Dunfermline held on comfortably to keep alive hopes of a third cup final in four years.

Teams:

Dunfermline De Vries, Ross (Bamba 89), Wilson, McGuire,Scott Morrison, O'Brien (Crawford 90), Mason, Simmons,Owen Morrison (McCunnie 72), Hamilton, Hammill.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, McIntyre.

Booked: Mason, Simmons.

Goals: Simmons 4, 86.

Partick Arthur, Smith (Strachan 49), John Robertson, Brady,Boyd, Keogh, James Gibson, Billy Gibson, Russell, Roberts,Young (McConalogue 82).

Subs Not Used: Tuffey, McChrystale, Ferguson.

Booked: Keogh, Boyd, Brady.

Att: 7,090

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).