Scott Brown and Garry O'Connor provided the goals to give nervy Hibernian a 2-0 win over St Mirren in the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Easter Road

Brown, who was making his first start since injuring his ankle last September against Celtic, gave the home side the lead just seconds before the interval with a 16-yard drive.

And as the battling Buddies pressed for the equaliser after the break, O'Connor's 72nd-minute strike on the break sealed the Edinburgh men's semi-final spot.

Hibernian ultimately ran out easy winners against their Bell's First Division opponents but until O'Connor's goal, Tony Mowbray's side had made heavy weather of disposing of the Paisley side who were backed by a huge travelling support.

Easter Road was almost full to the brim which made for a terrific atmosphere as St Mirren kicked off looking to cause a famous cup upset.

Hibs settled down after a nervy opening and in the ninth minute top scorer Derek Riordan brilliantly picked out O'Connor with a slide-rule pass but the Scotland international's angled shot flashed past the far post.

Five minutes later Riordan again played in O'Connor, this time on the right hand side of the penalty area, but Buddies keeper Craig Hinchcliffe parried his volley before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

At the other end, a careless backpass by Hibs defender Gary Caldwell almost let Alan Russell in but the St Mirren striker's shot was blocked at the edge of the penalty area by home keeper Simon Brown.

In the 29th minute Riordan had a snap-shot from 30 yards which sailed high and wide to the derision of the travelling fans behind the goal.

But the home fans were encouraged in the 33rd minute when O'Connor's powerful drive from 35 yards drew a great save from Hinchcliffe although once again, the Edinburgh side failed to make the most of the corner.

Just before the break the visitors began to make some inroads towards the Hibs goal but still Simon Brown remained untested.

Then, in added time in the first half, the game turned in the home side's favour. O'Connor played in Brown inside the St Mirren penalty area and the midfielder quickly fired a right-footed shot past Hinchcliffe to give the home side a half-time lead.

After the break the visitors came out fighting and with only a minute gone, Saints midfielder Simon Lappin fired in a 25-yard free-kick which Brown clutched to his chest.

Scott Brown's first-half goal had done little to ease the home side's nerves, especially in defence and there was always a feeling the Buddies could get back on level terms.

Some full-blooded tackles increased the tempo but as the game became stretched it was the Paisley men who began to take the initiative.

However, in the 58th minute great work by Brown put O'Connor in at the edge of the Saints penalty area but the Hibs striker was soon crowded out.

The game swung one way then the other and in the 63rd minute, following a Hugh Murray corner from the left, Saints defender Kirk Broadfoot had his far post header cleared off the line by David Murphy.

As the time ticked away there was an increasing desperation about St Mirren's attacks and in the 72nd minute they paid for a moment of slackness.

With too many of the visiting players committed to attack, Antonio Murray's long pass out of defence found O'Connor running clear and the Hibs striker confidently rounded Hinchcliffe and slotted the ball home.

Moments later, Murray came close to scoring himself when he slammed a 30-yard drive off the post.

The hosts had chances to increase their lead in the closing stages but 2-0 was as much as they deserved after an unconvincing display.

Teams

Hibernian: Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Murphy, Scott Brown (McDonald 89), Antonio Murray, Ian Murray, Riordan, Fletcher (Orman 68), O'Connor.

Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown, Konte, Morrow.

Booked: O'Connor.

Goals: Scott Brown 45, O'Connor 72.

St Mirren: Hinchcliffe, van Zanten, McGowne, Broadfoot, Millen, Russell (McGinty 58), Lappin (Gillies 81), Reilly, McCay (O'Neil 58), Murray, Kean.

Subs Not Used: Woods, Ellis.

Att: 15,195

Ref: W Young (Scotland).