Scottish Cup Saturday Review

Hibernian survived more than one scare before easing past Irvine Meadow 3-0 and into the fifth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup.

The home side were not on their game in the first half and enjoyed a slice of luck when Alexander Ryan put through his own net just before the half-hour.

Merouane Zemmama and Paul Hanlon made the game safe after the break but Irvine had already seen Richie Barr controversially booked for diving when appealing for a penalty and missed a glorious chance through Chris Strain, while Brian McGinty also hit the post.

Dundee United striker Damian Casalinuovo emulated countryman Diego Maradona by helping his side to a 2-0 victory at Partick Thistle with a handball goal.

The Argentinian turned home Garry Kenneth's powerful volley with his fist in the 26th minute help edge United past the Irn-Bru First Division side and into the fifth round.

The hosts gave as good as they got and Jags substitute Liam Buchanan missed two great chances before David Goodwillie netted the visitors' second in the last minute.

Second-half goals from Darren Mackie and Lee Miller allowed Aberdeen to beat a disappointing Hearts 2-0 at Pittodrie.

Mackie broke the deadlock with his first goal for the Dons since February 2009 when he was on hand to tap the ball into an empty net after Miller had knocked the ball past Marian Kello on the hour mark.

Miller added a second for the Dons when he slotted home Chris Maguire's cross with 14 minutes to go.

The result ended Hearts' recent unbeaten run which had stretched to five matches and they rarely threatened the Aberdeen defence.

Billy Mehmet played a starring role as St Mirren booked their place in the fifth round with a 3-1 victory over Alloa.

The striker played a huge part in the opener when his header hit the post and bounced off goalkeeper David Crawford into the back of the net.

The Second Division side pulled a goal back through Mark Brown but Mehmet netted either side of the interval to ensure there was no cup shock at St Mirren Park.

In Saturday's other surviving game, Dunfermline thrashed Stenhousemuir 7-1 - but now the result is in doubt because the Pars fielded an ineligible player.

Calum Woods came off the bench in the second half of the clash at East End Park despite the Scottish Football Association's official suspensions list declaring him banned for the match.

Brechin were ejected from the Scottish Cup in 2008 after fielding two ineligible players in a victory over Hamilton.

The SFA initially ordered a replay and fined Brechin £10,000 when it was thought only one ineligible player had been fielded.

But the club were expelled once it emerged a second ineligible player had also been used.

In the game itself Andy Kirk scored a brace for the hosts while William Gibson, Nick Phinn, David Graham, Steven McDougall and Joe Cardle also got their names on the scoresheet.

Kevin Bradley scored Stenhousemuir's only goal in the 90th minute.