St Mirren 1-3 St Johnstone: St Johnstone cruise into next round of the Scottish Cup

ST MIRREN were swept aside at Love Street as St Johnstone cruised into the last four of the Scottish Cup.

Even an unsuccessful penalty from Paul Sheerin – and a successful one from Billy Mehmet – could not take the gloss off a victory that sets up a meeting with Rangers or Partick Thistle in the next round.

There was further frustration for Sheerin when he conceded a penalty at the other end for handball and Mehmet showed him how to finish from 12 yards by rifling low into the net with 20 minutes to go.

Mason then fired just over the crossbar from a free-kick on the edge of the area as St Mirren desperately tried to haul themselves back into the tie with time rapidly running out.

Maxwell then saw his header skim over the bar but the belated rally from the SPL side was too little, too late as their fellow Saints eased into the last four.

Rocco Quinn, Andy Jackson and Peter MacDonald helped themselves to a goal apiece in tonight's replay to secure a comfortable win for the Irn-Bru First Division side.