First Division side Airdrie United sent Hearts out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup after a penalty shoot-out at Tynecastle.

Airdrie's hopes of victory suffered a blow when Kevin McDonald was sent off for a second bookable offence. But the sides failed to score in 120 minutes.

Scott McLaughlin scored Airdrie's fourth penalty to put pressure on Hearts to keep the tie alive.

But Stephen Robertson saved David Obua's penalty to send Airdrie through.

Airdrie produced a sound defensive display to frustrate a Hearts side lacking a cutting edge.

Hearts supporters had to wait 19 minutes for their side's first effort on goal.

Christos Karipidis was off balance as he diverted a weak shot into Robertson's arms.

Paul Di Giacomo went close for the visitors in the first half when he saw his 25-yard effort strike the bar and bounce away to safety.

McDonald tested Kello after 56 minutes as the visitors pressed for the opener, then Robertson denied Jamie Mole with a superb save.

Extra time failed to yield a goal and in the penalty shoot-out Robertson saved Abua's effort to send the First Division side through.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo:

"We played about 10 minutes against 10 men and had the chances, but we missed them.

"We are out. We must concentrate on the Scottish Cup and the league.

"The question wasn't about the penalties, but why we didn't win the game before.

"The opponents' goalkeeper had a fantastic day. I think he saved his team in the normal game and after in the penalties. I can only congratulate him and we must accept this."

Airdrie United manager Kenny Black:

"We had a lot of good performers, I wouldn't single anybody out.

"I actually put the lads under a bit of pressure at the penalty shoot-out. I told them the five that were going up and said 'no pressure, but you're on £50,000 a man to go through'. It was only tongue-in-cheek to try to relax them.

"Darren has hit the target and the keeper has made a good block, but I was delighted for the four other penalty-takers who were brave enough to step up.

"And our goalkeeper, for what he lacks in size and presence, he makes up for it. I think he is one of the best shot-stoppers in our division. He'll get a lot of plaudits and it's fully merited."

Hearts: Kello, Karipidis, Zaliukas, Berra, Lee Wallace, Mikoliunas (Cesnauskis 73), Stewart, Jonsson, Obua, Kingston (Ksanavicius 70), Mole (Nade 93).
Subs Not Used: Palazuelos, MacDonald.

Booked: Jonsson, Stewart, Ksanavicius.

Airdrie Utd: Robertson, Smyth, Bobby Donnelly, Nixon, Hazley, McDougall (Smith 83), McKenna, McDonald, Cardle (Brown 80), Di Giacomo (Lynch 78), McLaughlin.
Subs Not Used: Noble, Hollis.

Sent Off: McDonald (107). Booked: Cardle, McDonald, McKenna.

Att: 6,844

Ref: E Smith

Taken from the BBC