Last updated on .From the section Football

Darren McGregor found the net just after the hour-mark

Two second-half goals were enough for Hibernian to knock a dogged Raith Rovers side out of the Scottish Cup at the fourth round stage.

The tie looked destined to end goalless for a long spell as the two Championship teams cancelled each other out.

Darren McGregor's shot broke the deadlock after an hour, though.

Dominique Malonga added a second two minutes later with an excellent long-range strike.

This was the fourth meeting of these sides this season and the sense of familiarity dragged the game into a state of deadlock.

Hibs had won all three previous games, but found themselves up against determined hosts.

Containment was not the only purpose of Raith's display, since they created the only meaningful chances of the opening half.

Malonga provided a rare bit of inspiration with Hibs' second

There was a sluggishness to Hibs, even though new signing Chris Dagnall - who replaced the unwell Jason Cummings in the starting line-up - was always willing to run in behind defenders.

His problem was the quality of pass up to him. Rovers filled the midfield with industry and endeavour and, with James Craigen playing just off lone striker Jon Daly, little moments of creativity entered their play.

It was from a Craigen cross that Ross Callachan might have scored but Hibs goalkeeper Mark Oxley pounced on the ball on his goal-line.

Another Craigen delivery found Rory McKeown racing in at the back post but he blazed over.

Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs looked increasingly frustrated with his players as he stood on the sideline.

His team was certainly brighter and more proactive after the break, with Paul Hanlon providing the first meaningful effort on target with a shot from the edge of the area, but goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert was more than equal to it.

The tie was more open as both sides sought a decisive outcome. Hibs had been refocused during the break, though, and their enterprise brought reward.

James Keatings had just seen a shot pushed over by an agile diving save from Cuthbert but the goalkeeper was culpable moments later.

When the ball broke to McGregor just outside the area from a Lewis Stevenson cross, the substitute hit it low and hard, with the ball somehow bundling underneath the body of Cuthbert and rolling into the net.

Quality and composure had been notable by their absence but Malonga suddenly intervened. Unchallenged 25 yards out, the striker swept a glorious shot into the top corner of the net.

And the brace of goals were enough to secure Hibs a place in Monday's draw for the last 16.