Russell Latapy celebrated his return to the Hibernian side with two goals to shatter Falkirk's dreams and put his side into the semi-final of the Scottish Cup for the first time in five years.

Latapy's inclusion in the starting line-up was doubtful before the game after he returned to the club late from international duty with Trinidad and Tobago and following their display in the victory over Celtic the previous week.

But manager Alex McLeish's decision to play him proved an inspired one as he produced a stunning strike and a penalty either side of Andy Lawrie's equaliser with Pat McGinlay sealing the victory with a last-minute header.

The win put Hibernian one game from a Hampden Park final for the first time since they were beaten by eventual winners Celtic in 1995.

Falkirk started and finished like a team riding high in the First Division before Latapy and his Hibs colleagues found their feet in the first half.

The visitors amazingly had a better recent history in the competition than their opponents after reaching this stage last season, the semi-final in 1998 and the final in 1997.

They produced a great piece of football in the fifth minute when David Hagen picked out Garth Hutchison in the area - but he headed inches wide of Nick Colgan's upright.

That was the wake-up call Latapy needed and he produced his first bit of magic in the 17th minute when he picked up Kenny Miller's pass before letting fly with a curling effort that flew just inches past the post.

Two minutes later and Mixu Paatelainen should have done better when put through by Martin McIntosh - but he blasted wide of the target with just Myles Hogarth to beat.

Hibernian were beginning to wear Falkirk down and took the lead in a 25th minute breathtaking fashion through the lively Latapy.

French midfielder Franck Sauzee played the ball into his path and the striker took it in his stride before firing past the despairing dive of Hogarth from 20 yards.

Latapy again terrorised the visitors' defence in the 29th minute after picking up McGinlay's ball - but his centre was just too hard for Miller to get a touch to.

However, it took just seven minutes for the First Division side to hit back following their best move of the game.

David Nicholls crossed the ball into the Hibs box and Lawrie nipped in ahead of the home defence to head home powerfully past Colgan.

Miller, who had a quiet game by his own high standards, then watched in agony as his shot from the edge of the box went agonisingly wide of the target.

But Latapy restored the home side's lead in the 43rd minute from the penalty spot after Jamie McQuilken had pushed McGinlay over in the area after Sauzee and Latapy had combined well down the right.

Up stepped Latapy to fire home emphatically before the interval and just seconds before the break Hogarth produced a great stop low to his right to keep Latapy's long-range effort out.

That save gave Falkirk a lift and immediately after the restart Colgan had to make a great stop at the feet of Nicholls after Hagan had fired the ball across the face of goal.

McGinlay then came to Hibernian's rescue in the 52nd minute after Scott Crabbe had fired in a dangerous cross from the right and the Hibs man cleared with Nicholls lurking ominously at the back.

Falkirk committed more men forward in search of another equaliser and the chance of another replay.

McQuilken's running cross deserved a goal but Crabbe was unable to get on the end of it - but the visitors were clearly hungry to score.

The home side were throwing bodies in front of Falkirk's frantic efforts in the final moments, and McIntosh blocked a stinging effort from Hagan.

Trevor Christie then let fly from long range in an effort to catch Colgan off-guard but the Hibs keeper saved easily under his post.

McGinlay then sealed the win after Hogarth had done well to stop his fierce effort.

The midfielder rose highest in the box to head home Latapy's corner and knock the stuffing out of Falkirk as Hibernian took their place in the semi-finals on a day which belonged to Latapy.

Teams

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, Hughes, Smith, McIntosh, Sauzee, Lovell (Brebner 85), Latapy, McGinlay, Paatelainen (Lehmann 79), Miller.

Subs Not Used: Dennis.

Booked: McIntosh, Lovell.

Goals: Latapy 25, 43 pen, McGinlay 90.

Falkirk: Hogarth, Lawrie, McQuilken, Den Bieman, Christie, Nicholls, McKenzie, Henry (McDonald 83), Hagen, Crabbe, Hutchison (McAllister 65).

Subs Not Used: Seaton.

Booked: Christie.

Goals: Lawrie 32.

Att: 13,551

Ref: Willie Young (Scotland).