St Johnstone have progressed to the final four of the 2010/11 Scottish Cup thanks to a narrow 1-0 over Brechin City last night.

The Saints edged past the Second Division Brechin outfit at McDiarmid Park courtesy of a 37th minute Collin Samuel goal which denied a third replay after the opening match ended 2-2 at Glebe Park.

Samuel received received the ball on the edge of the area before turning and shooting and although his first attempt was blocked by Brechin defender Gerry McLauchlan, he picked up the pieces and fired past Craig Nelson for the only goal of the contest.

Brechin did little to create goalscoring chances in their attacking third in a rather lacklustre match but St Johnstone won't be bothered by the nature of the outing as they were able to get through to their fourth semi-final in four years where they will meet either Motherwell or Dundee United at Hampden Park on April 16.

Saints boss Derek McInnes was delighted his side had again reached the final four and urged his players to have belief ahead of their next outing.

"Right from the outset I had a real belief," he said. "Maybe that's me dreaming but I believe in the players and I believe we can be successful.

"We need to step it up and go in to the semi-final in good shape and we look forward to it.

"I think we have to believe.

"In the cup game at Tynecastle, Hearts were flying and no one outside our dressing room gave us a chance and it was a big result for us.

"I thought if the draw was kind to us it could be our year.

"I know we can't win the league but we can win a cup. I firmly believe that.

"I have lost two semi finals here as a player and two as a manager and all of them to the eventual winners.

"But we are in a semi-final again, 90 minutes away from making the next step."