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Christian Doidge’s hat-trick ensured Hibernian edged out Dundee United in a thrilling Scottish Cup fourth-round replay to set up a last-16 tie with Lowland League side BSC Glasgow.
United’s Lawrence Shankland volleyed in the opener, before Scott Allan levelled from the spot.
And though Adrian Sporle briefly had the visitors level after Doidge had edged Hibs in front, the former Forest Green striker added two more to take his season’s tally to 14 and put his side through.
It was a first defeat in 15 matches for runaway Championship leaders United, whose focus returns to securing a return to the top flight.
Hibs, meanwhile, join 10 other Premiership sides in the last 16 as they travel to Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium to face BSC, the only non-league side left in the Scottish Cup.
Burgeoning Doidge seals gripping tie
This was a terrific cup tie with both sides having no intention of sticking to cagey football.
It took the home side just three minutes to show their attacking intent. A surging run from Steven Whittaker, reminiscent of his younger self, took him clean through on goal, and having glided so far up the pitch, he ought to have scored once within shooting range.
United, who started slowly in the first match a 2-2 draw at Tannadice, were far less sluggish at Easter Road, and went ahead after 11 minutes thanks to a thunderous strike from their talismanic striker Shankland. The Scotland forward controlled the ball on his chest on the edge of the area before volleying past the helpless Ofir Marciano for his 27th goal of the season.
But that was just the start of it. Hibs pushed on and Whittaker fashioned himself another chance before Martin Boyle and Doidge also went close.
Up the other end, Shankland should have doubled the lead, but there was a collective gasp as, completely unmarked, he blazed over from close range.
Hibs had a couple of penalty claims waved away before referee Kevin Clancy eventually pointed to the spot after Boyle burst in the area and enticed Calum Butcher to bring him down, and Allan converted with a shot into the bottom right-hand corner.
Hibs came flying out the blocks in the second half, while United retreated into their shell despite having proven over the previous game-and-a-half that they could live with their Premiership opponents.
And just before the hour mark, Joe Newell surged into the box and cut the ball back for Doidge to smash into the net.
The momentum was now entirely with the hosts, but Sporle’s deflected finish just seconds after coming on as a substitute threatened to spoil a now promising looking night for Jack Ross’ side.
But Doidge, much maligned at the start of his Hibs career, made sure they would not join Ross County as the only top-flight side to be knocked out in the fourth round with his second and third goals.
The first was a powerful header from Newell’s corner and the second was an emphatic finish after Florian Kamberi’s miscued effort fell to him in the box.
United will take great heart from their showing against a Premiership side they will surely be playing against next season, but ultimately Hibs’ quality showed.
‘Hibs the better side over two games’ – analysis
Former Scotland winger Neil McCann on Sportsound
Hibs in the end deserved to go through, they dominated the first game and dominated again as they created great chances, although didn’t take all of them.
We’ve been treated to 10 goals over two ties. I wouldn’t mind seeing this game again next year in the Premiership if they serve up that type of football and entertainment.
Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart on Sportsound
Hibs have been the better side of the two games, but it’s not been a case of blowing Dundee United away. It was a great game with both capable of opening each other up with lots of attacking intent.
They’re a side flying high at the top of the Championship, they’ve spent plenty money and it was an evenly-poised match.
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