GOALS from Liam Craig and David Gray spared the blushes of goalkeeper Mark Oxley as Hibernian battled their way to a 2-1 victory over Alloa Athletic that keeps alive their hopes of winning the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1902.

Alan Stubbs' side deserved the win, but they had to withstand a late bombardment after a red card for Dominique Malonga left them seeing out the closing moments with 10 men.

The visitors had taken the initiative in the early stages of a thrilling first half with Malonga, Lewis Stevenson and Danny Handling all going close. Against the run of play, though, Hibs went behind in the 15th minute to a goal that was a personal disaster for Oxley as he allowed a low, skidding 35-yard effort from Alloa left-back Daryll Meggatt to squirm through his arms and legs and over the line.

Things almost got worse for the Edinburgh side three minutes later when Kevin Cawley raced on to a pass from Ryan McCord and flicked the ball just wide.

"It would have been a different game if that one had gone in," Alloa manager Barry Smith admitted afterwards, "but I can't fault Kevin for making the run. We had other chances too, but I thought our defending was great because Hibs played well."

The visitors made the most of their respite by equalising in the 27th minute. Referee Bobby Madden gave a free kick for handball on the edge of the penalty box and Craig sent a fierce low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Hibs took the lead 10 minutes later when left-back Gray made it third time lucky after yet another rampaging run into the Alloa penalty box. He had come close twice with headers from Craig crosses, one crashing off the post and another clearing the bar.

So Alloa had plenty of warning of what to expect when Scott Allan collected a short corner and arrowed a high ball to the back post. Once again, though, Gray was allowed a free header and this time it looped over Alloa keeper Craig McDowall and into the net.

The second half, in comparison, was fairly mundane until the 88th minute when Congolese striker Malonga tangled with Ben Gordon off the ball and appeared to aim a kick at the Alloa defender. Madden sent him off on the advice of his linesman, sparking a late flurry from the home team, but they were not able to trouble Oxley, who clutched the ball with relief as the final whistle sounded.

Gray, scorer of the winning goal, revealed that the keeper had apologised for his error at half-time, but the full-back added: "He had no need to. He's been fantastic for us all season and makes great saves at the right times."

As for his goal, only the second of his career, Gray said: "Alloa played narrow in midfield to counter our diamond formation, so it left room for me to get forward. I scored one, but I'm disappointed I didn't score three. The quality of crosses was superb."

Jubilant Hibernian boss Stubbs hailed Gray as a "warrior and a dream professional" and refused to blame his keeper for the goal conceded, explaining: "When anyone makes a mistake it's up to his ten team-mates to help him out. That's why we have a team."

Stubbs admitted it would be a "dream" to get his team to the Scottish Cup Final.

"With the way we're playing, not many other teams will fancy getting us in the draw," he added. "No one would have been saying that four months ago."