Hibernian took a step towards their second final of the season with a Tennent's Scottish Cup victory over Gretna at Easter Road.

An own goal from Gretna goalkeeper Greg Fleming was sandwiched between goals from Rob Jones and Abdessalam Benjelloun, as Hibernian booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The consolation strike came courtesy of Matthew Berkeley with 10 minutes to go.

The victory may not have been as emphatic as Hibernian's 6-0 thrashing of the First Division side in the CIS Insurance Cup back in September, but it was enough to deny Gretna a second consecutive appearance in the Scottish Cup final.

It was also the second time in four days Hibernian had overcome high-flying First Division opposition to progress in a cup competition.

They made hard work of joining Kilmarnock in the CIS Insurance Cup final, needing extra-time to dispose of St Johnstone.

Despite those exertions, manager John Collins resisted the urge to make too many changes for the visit of Rowan Alexander's men.

Michael Stewart was withdrawn at half-time on Wednesday night after being sick, and it was no surprise his name was missing from the teamsheet for this game at Easter Road.

Benjelloun - who netted the third goal of the 3-1 win over Saints - was named on the bench, with Sean Lynch and Ross Campbell drafted into the first team.

St Johnstone were also the most recent opposition for Gretna, recording a victory over the First Division leaders last week.

Alexander made three changes following the 2-1 defeat. Out went goalkeeper Alan Main, Brendan McGill and David Bingham; in came Fleming, Ryan McGuffie and Berkeley.

With Celtic not facing Livingston until Sunday, this was supposed to be one of the games of the day but failed to live up to its billing early on.

Gretna could have sneaked the opener with a few snatched opportunities at goal. Allan Jenkins fired wide from 10 yards, before Colin McMenamin saw his shot comfortably held by Hibs goalkeeper Andrew McNeil.

Then came one of the few moments of inspiration from the home side in the opening stages.

Ivan Sproule was a menace on the right flank and he whipped a great ball to the feet of Steven Fletcher in front of goal, who failed to connect and the opportunity was lost.

An off-target effort from Steven Whittaker moments later was scant consolation for Hibs supporters who were hungry for goals.

At the other end, McNeil dived low to block a powerful 35-yard drive from Craig Barr, which was only smothered at the second attempt.

However, a sharp intake of break from the home fans was quickly followed by a sigh of relief when the home side made the breakthrough after 28 minutes.

Scott Brown showed why Hibernian would like to keep him with a great ball into the Gretna box, picking out Jones at the back post.

The towering centre-half rose above everyone else to send a downward header over the line, with Fleming reacting too late to keep the net from bulging.

Campbell made way for Benjelloun at the break and it was to prove an inspired substitution.

He did well to win the battle for possession with Martin Canning, before unleashing a shot at goal. The effort crashed off the post but bounced off the body of Fleming and into the back of the net with 53 minutes gone.

The Gretna goalkeeper may have unwittingly taken the credit for doubling Hibernian's lead but Benjelloun had his name on the scoresheet in his own right seven minutes later.

This time he received the ball from Fletcher before leaving the unfortunate Fleming with no chance with a superb, swerving effort from 10 yards.

Gretna gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Berkeley found the back of the net with 10 minutes to go, stabbing home a loose ball from just inside the box.

But Hibernian were unwilling to surrender any more of their lead and Benjelloun was still causing problems for the Borders outfit.

He was unfortunate not to add to his goal late on when he met a Sproule cut-back, only for the shot to be blocked by Chris Innes.

But the Edinburgh side had all but ensured safe passage to the next round of the Scottish Cup by then anyway.

Teams:

Hibernian McNeil, Whittaker, Jones, Martis, Murphy, Lynch,Scott Brown, Shiels (Beuzelin 61), Sproule,Fletcher (Stevenson 66), Campbell (Benjelloun 46).

Subs Not Used: Simon Brown, McCann.

Booked: Scott Brown, Martis, Lynch.

Goals: Jones 28, Fleming 54 og, Benjelloun 59.

Gretna Fleming, Barr, Grainger, Innes, Canning,Jenkins (O'Neil 89), Paarpalu, McGuffie, Berkeley, Graham,McMenamin (Grady 81).

Subs Not Used: Mathieson, Nicholls, Skelton.

Booked: Paarpalu, Barr, McMenamin.

Goals: Berkeley 80.

Att: 14,075

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).