Substitute Tom McManus grabbed a winner 10 minutes from time as Hibernian finally saw off battling Stirling at a foggy Forthbank.

Chris Templeman fired the plucky second division side, who knocked Hibs out of the same competition two seasons ago, ahead after just four minutes to raise hopes of a Cup upset.

After Hibs failed to clear a cross from the right the ball fell kindly to Templeman, and, from 20 yards, he connected perfectly to beat Nick Colgan.

Hibs were sparked into life and their cause was helped when referee John Rowbotham dismissed Kevin Gaughan after the Albion stopper tripped Russell Latapy on the edge of the penalty area.

From the resulting set-piece, Franck Sauzee curled the ball home effortlessly for a Hibs equaliser.

Hibs edged in front in the 26th minute. Man of the match John O'Neil stole into six yard box and steered David Zitelli's cross beyond Reid.

Albion roused themselves before the break and goalscorer Templeman went close on two occasions.

Stirling kept battling and in the second half their determination was rewarded when they won a 54th minute penalty.

This time though, Sauzee was the guilty party, up-ending Albion's John Millar. From the resulting spotkick, experienced striker Ally Graham retained his composure to blast home for the equaliser.

Amid the thickening fog, which gave reduced value to the spectators, Albion tired a little, as Hibs were stung into trying to obtain a winner and avoid a time consuming replay.

Paul Fenwick was unlucky to see a crisp shot well palmed away by Reid, and while Albion probably thought they had done enough to earn a replay they were caught out with the winner by substitute McManus.

After latching onto Latapy's square ball he moved goalwards and cracked home a right-foot shot, which was ultimately enough to sink Stirling.

Teams:

Stirling: Reid, Kelly (Stuart 83), Milne, Gaughan, Martin, McCallion (Gardner 79), Donald, Templeman, Millar, Feroz (Aitken 83), Graham.

Subs Not Used: Williams, Buchanan.

Sent Off: Gaughan (10).

Goals: Templeman 4, Graham 53 pen.

Hibernian: Colgan, Sauzee, Fenwick, Gary Smith, Laursen, Latapy, O'Neil, Jack, Murray (McManus 65), Paatelainen, Zitelli.

Subs Not Used: Franks, Andrews, Brebner, Lehmann.

Booked: Jack.

Goals: Sauzee 10, O'Neil 26, McManus 78.

Att: 3,700

Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).