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St Johnstone secured their place in the Scottish Cup semi-final draw with a deserved win over Raith Rovers.

Gary McDonald's swivel and strike from the edge of the penalty area gave top-flight Saints an early lead.

But the Championship side levelled when Joe Cardle's stunning long-range effort whistled into the net via a post.

A determined run and shot by Nigel Hasselbaink turned the match back in Saints' favour and Steven Anderson fired the visitors' third.

The Perth side's pursuit of the trophy will continue in one of next month's semi-finals at Ibrox Stadium, with the draw for the last four taking place on Sunday.

Keen to make a positive start and dilute the chances of joining Hibernian as one of Raith's Scottish Cup scalps, St Johnstone duly delivered the opening goal.

Anderson nodded Gary Miller's free-kick down for McDonald and the midfielder's shot on the turn found its way past Lee Robinson at his near post.

The early set-back demanded a response from Raith and Cardle provided one in style. The winger moved from a central position into the inside-right channel and rifled the ball across the bows of Alan Mannus from 35 yards.

Saints' Brian Easton sought to emulate Cardle's effort with a low shot from similar range but it bounced wide.

At the other end, Dougie Hill headed narrowly past and Ross Callachan headed well off target with an even better chance.

Like the first half, Tommy Wright's men made the better start in the second period and soon found themselves in front again.

Hasselbaink forced his way past Jason Thomson and Liam Fox before poking the ball past the on-rushing Robinson.

The visitors were eager to put the tie to bed and James Dunne and Stevie May fired wide and the latter also drew a save from Robinson.

Mannus, too, had his work cut out in the second half. Rovers won a free-kick about 20 yards from goal and Fox's curling shot seemed destined for the net until the Saints keeper stretched out his right hand.

But the match was ended as a contest when Anderson's boot connected with Lee Croft's near-post corner to carry the ball past Robinson.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

"I'm delighted for the players, the supporters, the board as well and the chairman. It's a big thing to get to a semi-final.

"We probably need to go and vanish the ghosts of the last semi-final we were in [the 3-0 defeat by Motherwell in 2011]. We were disappointing that day.

"I think they deserve the right to have another semi-final and another crack of getting into the final.

"Second half, we were excellent. It's a tremendous goal from Nigel to get us back in front. I thought we dominated most of the second half.

"They did put us under pressure in the first half. It was important that we came in level at half-time. It was important that we dominated and started well in the second half."

Raith Rovers manager Grant Murray:

"We got ourselves back in the game [after losing the opening goal]. We got back in the game with a great strike from Joe Cardle.

"I think we had them rattled for a wee bit, we were on top and we did have a couple of chances. In cup ties you've got to take your chances when they come along.

"St Johnstone turned it round in the second half. We found ourselves behind against a very good side who punished us when they could."