GLASGOW, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Hearts overcame stubborn resistance from third division Partick Thistle to reach the Scottish FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

City rivals Hibernian also reached the last four with a 5-1 demolition of Falkirk while third division leaders Gretna stunned second division pacesetters St Mirren 1-0.

Kenny Deuchar netted the winner on 75 minutes for Gretna who became the first third division team into the last four since Forfar in 1982.

Hamilton Academical and Dundee drew 0-0 in the other quarter-final.

Hearts, second in the Premier League, took an early lead when Lithuanian Edgaras Jankauskas headed powerfully in following a deep, diagonal cross by Paul Hartley after six minutes.

Lithuanian Delvidas Cesnauskis crashed home a second after the interval but Hearts made life hard for themselves when substitute Roman Bednar was sent off on 68 minutes for a second booking.

Thistle's Mark Roberts rifled a fine shot past keeper Craig Gordon four minutes later to set up a nervous finish.

"We were fortunate we got two terrific goals to take us into the semi-finals," Hearts director of football Jim Duffy told BBC Radio Scotland.

"It was resolute defending at the end, but at 2-0 we should have been in control. We had a few players off the pace and a few players not 100 percent, but we are not making excuses.

"Credit goes to Partick Thistle for their performance."

Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers were knocked out in earlier rounds.