Hibernians needed two late goals from striker Paul McManus to beat St Andrews’ stern challenge and advance to the quarter finals.

The First Division side twice rallied from a goal down to erase the Paolites’ advantage in each half. Seven minutes from time, McManus headed the winning goal to seal his side a deserved passage for the better chances they carved in during the entire match.

St Andrews traded equal punches with their opponents in the opening minutes, but gradually Hibernians, who had Levnaic, released this week, and Clarke missing in defence, started to move the ball with more fluency and purpose. Past the quarter hour the Saints’ new Italian keeper Carandente missed the ball on a Pisani cross. It fell to the unmarked Herrera whose shot was blocked by Camilleri Kamski and the first real chance went to waste.

St Andrews replied with a Valenzia shot from a distance but Hibernians again went close on 24 minutes as McManus’ header, on a Cohen corner, was blocked on the goal line by defender Hartvig.

Towards the half hour, the Paolites finally broke the ice. Andrew Cohen picked a loose ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a left foot shot that rendered the keeper helpless.

That lead lasted hardly two minutes though. Vella Petroni advanced on the right, his low drive was footed out by keeper Muscat for Faisal Anakua to slam the ball in the roof of the net.

That goal sapped away much of Hibernians’ confidence and they rarely threatened again until eight minutes into the second period. On an insidious Herrera cross from the right, Gauci’s touch flashed across the face of goal.

McManus hit weakly on a Pisani cross while Cohen’s header and a Pearson shot were blocked by the Saints’ defenders as Hibernians laid siege on their fort.

It had become almost a shooting practice for Hibernians before they again took the lead on 76 minutes. Cohen played the ball forward for Paul McManus to chase and head over the onrushing keeper Carandente.

Three minutes all it took for St Andrews to restore equilibrium. Michael Valenzia hit a direct free kick against the Hibernians wall, picked up the rebound and shot low past Muscat at the near post.

Hibernians summoned enough energy to hit back seven minutes from time. Paul McManus again headed in a Herrera testing cross from the right

Hibernians: M. Muscat, R. Camilleri, J. Pearson (M. Tabone), M. Gauci, A. Pulis, E. Herrera, B. Kristensen, R. Hart, A. Cohen, S. Pisani, P. McManus (J.P. Farrugia)

St Andrews: P. Carandente, N. Chetcuti, A. Camilleri Kamski (M. Desira Buttigieg), J. Bugeja, R. Hartvig, M. Valenzia, W. Camilleri, N. Vella Petroni, F. Anakua, M. Calleja (B. Diacono), M. Onourah (K. Coleiro)

Referee: G. Tonna asst.refs: A. Camilleri, E. Spiteri 4th official: C. Pisani

Scorers: A. Cohen 29, F. Anankua 31, P. McManus 76, 83, M. Valenzia 79

Yellow cards: P. McManus, W. Camilleri