Hearts put their league woes behind them to cruise into the third round of the CIS Insurance Cup with a convincing victory over Stirling Albion.

A Laurie Ellis own goal before the break and a well-taken Laryea Kingston strike in the second half sealed the morale-boosting win.

The Tynecastle coaching staff stayed true to their word and named a strong starting line-up against Albion to reduce their chances of being subjected to a humiliating cup exit.

The inclusion of Ibrahim Tall and Andy Driver proved the only alterations to the starting XI beaten 5-0 at Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Saturday.

The Edinburgh club looked to impose themselves from the first kick and conjured two chances within the first three minutes.

Firstly, Driver had a header blocked at the back post from a Michael Stewart cross and then the diminutive winger turned provider for Kingston.

Driver found the Ghanaian international on the edge of the box but Kingston's low drive was cleared off the line by Chris Aitken.

Hearts looked dangerous going forward and Driver had another goal-bound header blocked by Paul Nugent in the 10th minute after Calum Elliot broke free down the flank.

There was no let-up in Hearts' pressure as they searched for the opening goal and captain Christophe Berra then had a header saved by Myles Hogarth from Stewart's corner.

First Division Stirling served a reminder to Hearts that they were capable of causing damage when goalkeeper Steve Banks had to palm Steven Bell's vicious long-range effort over the bar in the 16th minute.

The Hearts supporters had to wait until six minutes from the interval to see their side take the lead through the own goal by Ellis.

Mikoliunas broke free down the flank and squared the ball inside the box for Driver.

The Englishman's shot was blocked by Hogarth but Ellis turned the ball into his own net.

The hosts should have been on level terms in the 49th minute when Paul Murphy was granted space inside the box to meet Aitken's free-kick, but his half-volley from six yards bounced inches wide.

Hearts then put the game beyond doubt in the 53rd minute when Stewart found midfield colleague Kingston with a superb defence-splitting pass and the Ghanaian shot low into the corner past Hogarth from inside the box.

It could have been a more emphatic result for Hearts. The lively Driver saw a deflected shot hit the top of the crossbar and moments later Stewart should have added his name to the score-sheet but blasted an effort over the bar from inside the box.

Taken from sportinglife.com