Highlights: Ayr United 0-1 Hibernian

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

David Gray praised the "professionalism" of "real leader" Rocky Bushiri after the defender's late glancing header edged Hibernian past Ayr United and into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Gray's side had to dig in to overcome the stubborn Championship leaders at Somerset Park and stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games, with Bushiri influential at both ends of the park.

"He's someone I've praised a lot recently not just because of how he's played but how he's been as a person at the club," head coach Gray said of his matchwinner.

"At the start of the season he wasn't getting the game-time he'd have liked and he had to be really patient.

"But he trained properly every single day. His level of professionalism is why, when he's been given the nod to step back in, he's played to a very good level.

"Since he's come back into the team he's been outstanding and a real leader at the back, which is great to see."

Ayr looked set to take the Premiership visitors to extra time, but Bushiri stooped to meet a flick-on from substitute Kieron Bowie and send Hibs through.

Both sides came into the tie in stellar form and Ayr, leading the Championship and undefeated in eight, came closest early on when George Oakley raced through but failed to poke his shot past Jordan Smith.

Martin Boyle spurned a chance for the visitors before heading Jack Iredale's deep cross into the ground and on to the roof of the net.

As extra time beckoned, Hibs ramped up the pressure and Boyle slid a glaring chance past the far post before Bushiri made the 87th-minute breakthrough.

Hibs still had work to do, with goalkeeper Smith pulling off a sensational double save from Jamie Murphy to preserve his side's slender advantage.

Bushiri makes late breakthrough for Hibs

What they said

Ayr United manager Scott Brown: "We've given Hibs a really good game at home and I don't think there was much in it.

"We've played against the team that will probably finish third in the league and we competed for 90 minutes against that."

Hibernian defender Nicky Cadden: "We knew the cameras were here for a reason, they wanted an upset.

"We weren't going to win it in the first half so we knew we had to hang in. A home tie would be nice for the fans in the quarters, we're on a good run just now so we can take on anyone."

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