Dunfermline 1 Hearts 3

Hearts won through to the semi-finals of the CIS Insurance Cup with a comfortable victory over Dunfermline at East End Park.

Andy Webster gave the visitors a first-half lead even though his goal-bound header might have been helped over the line by Dennis Wyness.

But on the hour mark substitute Billy Mehmet, on 60 seconds earlier for Craig Brewster, drew the sides level with an 18-yard drive.

Five minutes later Paul Hartley's second penalty in four days restored the Gorgie side's lead and with only seven minutes remaining substitute Joe Hamill, on for Phil Stamp, curled a wonderful shot from the edge of the box into the top corner to seal February's Hampden date for the superior Edinburgh men.

It was the visitors who nearly stole into the lead as early as the third minute when Dunfermline goalkeeper Derek Stillie, normally so convincing, hesitated as Wyness broke through on goal.

The ball broke to Jambos striker Kevin McKenna at the edge of the Pars penalty area but the big Canadian failed to capitalise, allowing Stillie to block his first-time shot before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

Dunfermline's early defending was less than convincing with Stillie's nervousness appearing to spread across the Pars back four and only a quick reaction from Aaron Labonte in the eighth minute prevented Hearts midfielder Jamie McAllister robbing the full-back and heading towards goal.

The home side had the next shot on goal when Brewster latched onto an Andy Tod headed flick following a deep Scott Thomson free-kick but the former Hibs player's angled shot on the turn from close range went high over Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon's crossbar.

But in the 32nd minute the visitors took the lead with a rather confusing goal against a statuesque Dunfermline defence.

A Robbie Neilson throw-in from the right caused panic in the Fifers' box and when Jambos stopper Webster headed towards the far post, the ball looked to be on its way in before Wyness popped up and appeared to get a touch before the ball went into an empty net.

Webster ran away in celebration with his team-mates and Wyness simply trotted back to the halfway line on his own.

When the match restarted after the break there seemed little change in the pattern of play although Dunfermline did appear to have a bit more urgency about them.

In the 56th minute though, the visitors almost doubled their lead after a clever one-two between Wyness and Hartley at the edge of the Pars box split the Dunfermline defence.

The former Hibs player was left with only Stillie to beat from 12 yards out but his low drive struck the keeper's legs and spun away for a corner which eventually came to nothing.

In the 59th minute there were some jeers from the home fans when favourite Brewster was replaced by Mehmet but the Pars supporters were cheering a minute later when the substitute scored the equaliser.

After a short spell of pressure on the Gorgie box, Mehmet's drive from 20 yards should have been saved by Gordon but the Hearts 'keeper allowed the ball to slide out of his hands and off the post before it trickled agonisingly over the line.

The goal was the boost the Fifers needed and their confidence seemed to grow.

In the 65th minute, seconds after Jamie McAllister's goal-bound shot had been blocked by Wyness, the Jambos were awarded a penalty when Richie Byrne blatantly tripped Neilson in the box.

Hartley, who scored with a penalty against Aberdeen in the league on Sunday, slotted the ball into the corner past the despairing Stillie who had guessed right but could not keep it out.

And in the 83rd minute it was Jambos' substitute Hamill who sealed the visitors' semi-final spot with a well-placed side-footed drive from the edge of the box following a Hartley corner.

Teams

Dunfermline Stillie, Byrne, Scott Wilson, Tod, Butler, Scott Thomson, Nicholson, Mason, Labonte, Brewster (Mehmet 58), Derek Young (Donnelly 78).

Subs Not Used: Bradley, Ross, Langfield.

Booked: Mason, Byrne, Scott Wilson.

Goals: Mehmet 60.

Hearts Gordon, Maybury, Pressley, Webster, Kisnorbo, Neilson, Stamp (Hamill 67), Hartley, McAllister, Wyness (Weir 84), McKenna.

Subs Not Used: Berra, Moilanen, Pereira.

Booked: Neilson.

Goals: Webster 33, Hartley 66 pen, Hamill 84.

Att: 4,405

Ref: H Dallas (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com