Raith Rovers earned a place in the last four of the Active Nation Scottish Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win over below-par Dundee.
John McGlynn's side made an explosive start and opened the scoring after only three minutes when Stephen Simmons volleyed home from just inside the area. Raith then doubled their lead in the 10th minute when Laurie Ellis powerfully headed home from an Allan Walker free-kick.
Dundee gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Craig Forsyth headed home after 73 minutes but despite a late rally the hosts could not find a second that would have forced a replay.
When the match got underway Raith made an explosive start, taking the lead in the third minute.
Striker Gregory Tade flicked on an Ellis throw-in which was weakly cleared into the path of the onrushing Simmons who smashed the ball into the bottom corner past the helpless Robert Douglas.
The home side almost replied instantly but David McGurn made a neat save to collect Gary Harkins' downward header. However it was the visitors who doubled their advantage in the 10th minute when Walker's free-kick was powerfully headed home by Ellis.
Dundee looked shaken after their poor start but almost pulled a goal back through Hart but his low drive from the edge of the penalty area was well saved by McGurn just before the half hour mark.
Raith had the ball in the net for a third time seven minutes before the break when Graham Weir's cute volley beat Douglas but the former Hearts striker was adjudged to have strayed offside.
The home side went close when Leigh Griffiths' deflected shot fell kindly for Forsyth on the hour mark but Douglas managed to push the ball over the crossbar.
Dundee set up a rousing finish by pulling a goal back in the 73rd minute when Forsyth headed past McGurn from a Harkins cross.
Copyright (C) PA Sport 2012.
