Boyle brace fires Hibs into cup semi-finals

Martin Boyle’s late double settled a thriller against St Mirren and sent Hibernian into the Viaplay Cup semi-finals following a 4-2 victory.

The visitors had gone in at half-time ahead thanks to Scott Tanser’s fine effort.

Goals from Elie Youan and Dylan Vente then gave Hibs the advantage, only for Keanu Baccus to level things at 2-2.

With 10 minutes left to play, Boyle smashed home what proved to be the winner before adding a late fourth to extend Nick Montgomery’s undefeated start as Hibs manager.

Montgomery made two changes to the side that defeated St Johnstone at the weekend as in came Christian Doidge and Youan, with Adam Le Fondre and Jair Tavares dropping out.

St Mirren also made two alterations after their win over Hearts. There were places for Caolan Boyd-Munce and Mikael Mandron, who replaced Baccus and Connor McMenamin.

It was the visitors who had the first chance but Greg Kiltie’s goalbound header lacked the power to trouble David Marshall.

Former Hibs midfielder Alex Gogic then had a stab goalwards from Boyd-Munce’s deep free-kick that was also saved.

Saints were on top at this point and Ryan Strain’s searching ball picked out Toyosi Olusanya but his lobbed effort over Marshall drifted off target.

Boyle then came within inches of getting onto the end of Joe Newell’s enticing ball from the Hibs right flank.

St Mirren moved in front two minutes before half-time when Strain’s back-post cross was headed backwards by Mandron and Tanser thrashed in a half-volley from the edge of the box.

Hibs had a good chance from a similar position early in the second half but this time Rocky Bushiri dragged his effort well wide.

The home side, though, did draw level after 52 minutes when Boyle’s corner was nodded towards goal by Will Fish for Youan to touch in from close range.

Two minutes later, Hibs were in front. Lewis Miller’s cross picked out Vente in space and the striker was able to turn before firing his shot beyond Zach Hemming.

Saints nearly fell further behind when Boyle was allowed to dribble in on goal before forcing Hemming into a smart stop.

But they worked their way level after 76 minutes. Mark O’Hara picked out Baccus and the Australia international was allowed to run in on goal before finishing well in the far corner.

Hibs, though, went back in front four minutes later. Gogic stretched to try to cut out a cross but could only divert it to Boyle, who scored via the underside of the bar.

The forward missed a sitter to extend Hibs’ lead but made no mistake in time added on to seal the win.