Queen of the South 2-0 St Johnstone

Queen of the South knocked out Scottish Cup holders St Johnstone to march into the quarter finals for the first time in seven years.

Derek Lyle finished from close range at the start of a lively second half.

Gavin Reilly went close to increasing their lead before the inevitable Saints rally saw Michael O'Halloran spurn a good chance at the back post.

However, Reilly made no mistake late on as he finished Stephen McKenna's low cross to seal the tie.

The Doonhamers, who still harbour dreams of making the Scottish Premiership play-offs, always looked the more likely against a tired looking Saints.

After ending their search for a major trophy last season, the Perth men will be disappointed at the way their defence of the Cup petered out.

It proved to be a frustrating day for O'Halloran and St Johnstone

Referee Steven McLean was able to get the new vanishing spray out early with two free-kicks in quick succession for St Johnstone.

Both Dave Mackay and David Wotherspoon were not too far away from finding the net with their efforts.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright handed Danny Swanson - a Scottish Cup winner with Dundee United in 2010 - a debut, and he made his presence felt with a cross that swerved in the Dumfries breeze before landing in the hands of keeper Jim Atkinson.

After a stuffy opening Michael Paton and Ian McShane both fired over for the hosts before Kevin Holt got his right boot to a cross but could not keep it down.

It was encouraging signs for the home side though and McShane had goalkeeper Alan Mannus stretching to grab his side-footed effort from the edge of the box.

Half-time did not evaporate the enthusiasm of James Fowler's men, and within minutes of the restart they were ahead.

Paul Burns was denied by Mannus from close range, but Queens kept up the pressure and Lewis Kidd drove the ball back into the goal-mouth for Lyle to drill home.

Lyle struck from close range to give Queen of the South the lead

The holders were rocking, and Reilly twice went close as their grip on the trophy loosened.

It should have been 2-0 with 20 minutes to go.

Reilly was given acres of space on the right hand side and he picked out Lyle who had the net at his mercy, but the ball hit the back of his head and turned into a clearance rather than a goal.

Saints were not in the mood to punish them. Murray Davidson's header across goal fell to O'Halloran at the back post, but to the large travelling support's dismay the ball ended up in the bank of snow piled up in front of the terracing.

James McFadden whistled an effort wide of the far post as the visitors stepped up their efforts in the closing stages,

The Premiership side did not look like they had the legs for a constant assault on goal and Queens took full advantage with a sweeping counter.

McKenna raced down the right before sending a low ball across goal to Reilly, who had an easy finish past Mannus to put the Dumfries men into the last eight.