Match reporter: JOHN LAING

It was a very short-staffed Thornton who progressed into the semi-final of the King Cup thanks to Joe Kinninmonth's goal ultimately being the difference between the sides.

Prior to kick-off a minute's applause was observed as a mark of respect to Hibs' midfielder Murray Black's sister who passed away recently.

The visitors came close to taking the lead in the 9th minute when Ryan Findlay pounced on a short passback but after rounding Macaulay Jarrett his shot from a narrow angle struck the post.

Lewis Bennett and Dan McBay both came close at the other end before the deadlock was finally broken in the 40th minute as Max Coleman's corner-kick was head-flicked in by Joe Kinninmonth under pressure from the goalkeeper..

Then Joe Kinninmonth came close to doubling this advantage just two minutes with a low drive from 20 yards that narrowly missed its intended target.

The second-half was in its infancy when Stuart Martin got on the end of Findlay's cross but his shot flashed over the bar then another Coleman corner-kick found Lewis Bennett but his netbound effort was blocked.

An Aiden Davies effort was cleared off the goal-line as the Capital side began to exert more pressure and a wee while later Jarrett made a terrific point black save to prevent Martin from equalising and it just wasn't the South number eleven's day as he saw his 85th minute shot deflected over.

The Hibs held on though to progress into the semi-final when they'll play host to Kinnoull on a date to be advised.

Sunnydale Executive Travel/ Station Hotel Hibs Man of the Match: Dan McBay

Thornton Hibs: Jarrett, Rodger, McMillan, Drummond, Cunningham, Simpson, Black, Coleman, Kinninmonth, McBay, Bennett. Subs: Soutar, Keatings.

Edinburgh South: Whitelaw, Young, Taggart, Davies, Findlay, O'Brien, Martin, Connolly, Stewart, Clark, Uphill. Subs: Latimer, Roose, Hendry, Claperton, Morrant.

Referee: Mr B.Graham

Attendance: 78

Statto's Corner:
* Max Coleman made his 250th appearance for the Hibs.
* John Soutar made only his second appearance of the season to bring up his 125th in Hibs' colours.
* Macaulay Jarrett had a couple of great saves to allow him to record his 11th clean sheet of the season.