Ayr 1-1 Hearts (4-1 pens)

Bottom of Division One Ayr United knocked Scottish Premier League Hearts out of the Scottish Communities League Cup after triumphing on penalties.

Scott Robinson fired the visitors in front with a 49th-minute strike.

But Gareth Wardlaw levelled for Ayr on 63 minutes and neither side could find a winner in extra time.

Danny Grainger's penalty was saved by Ayr's Kevin Cuthbert and Hearts' Rudi Skacel missed his spot-kick, allowing Mark Roberts to send Ayr through.

The win at Somerset Park was the second time Brian Reid's side had beaten SPL competition in the Cup, having eliminated Inverness in the previous round.

Paulo Sergio made eight changes to the Hearts side that beat St Mirren in the SPL on Saturday. They started the brighter and would have taken the lead had Cuthbert not saved superbly from a John Sutton header.

Ayr's Michael Moffat fired in a dangerous delivery for Wardlaw, who headed inches over the top with Janos Balogh in the Hearts goal in no man's land.

Hearts were quick out of the traps at the beginning of the second half and they grabbed the lead on 49 minutes.

Grainger's corner was headed only as far as Robinson, who drove the ball low beyond Cuthbert and into the bottom-left corner of the goal.

Ayr almost hit back immediately when Ryan McGowan's cross evaded everyone in the penalty area but Eddie Malone was unable to convert at the back post.

Eggert Jonsson bundled a Grainger's set-piece over the line but referee Iain Brines decided no goal should be awarded as assistant referee Tom Murphy ruled the Icelandic defender had punched the ball into the net.

And two minutes later a slip by Marius Zaliukas 20 yards from his own goal allowed Wardlaw to drive through on goal and shoot past Balogh.

Hearts created chances through Templeton and Sutton but their opponents comfortably soaked up the pressure.

Neither team was able to create any further openings and the game moved into extra-time.

Ayr boss Brian Reid made an early change when play resumed - with Roberts on for Wardlaw.

With the exception of a long-range Grainger effort, Cuthbert was barely tested during the opening period.

The visitors raised the tempo in the opening stages of the second period forcing multiple corners and being denied by a number of match-saving blocks by Cuthbert, the pick of them coming from Ross Robertson after a stinging strike from Skacel.

Taking the kicks in front of the visiting support, Grainger and Skacel had their efforts kept out by Cuthbert while Moffat, Jamie McKernan, Alan Trouten and Roberts all successfully converted for Ayr to put them into the quarter-finals.

Ayr United manager Brian Reid: "The fitness and the effort of the players was second to none.

"It was an entertaining game and I am delighted to be through. The players deserve the plaudits tonight.

"I'm sure the other Premier League clubs will be taking notice and will be well aware of what to expect down here.

"[For the draw] As a manager, in terms of football progression, you want a so-called easier team here with home advantage.

"From the club's perspective, I'm sure they would rather have one of the big clubs for making money."

Hearts manager Paulo Sergio: "I think Hearts did more than enough to deserve to win the game today. It was Hearts who looked to score and we created a lot of chances to do it.

"We scored two clean goals but only one was good. I think that was a mistake.

"I spoke to the ref and he told me the linesman said it was a hand ball.

"I have to ask why the linesman was running to the middle of the pitch, giving the goal, if he saw a hand ball? I can't understand that.

"Hearts deserved to go through in the competition."
Live text and stats

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Scottish League Cup
Home Team Score Away Team Time
Ayr 1-1 Hearts FT
(HT 0-0)Ayr win 4-1 on penalties

Wardlaw 63

Robinson 49

Hide team line-ups and match stats
Ayr

01 Cuthbert
03 Malone yellow card
04 Smith yellow card
05 Robertson (Robertson 55)
02 Tiffoney
06 Geggan
07 McGowan
10 Trouten yellow card
08 McKernan
09 Wardlaw (Roberts 94)
11 Moffat

Substitutes

20 McWilliams,
14 Robertson,
15 Connelly,
16 Burke,
12 Roberts

Hearts

01 Balogh
03 Grainger
05 Barr yellow card
17 McGowan
26 Zaliukas
04 Jonsson yellow card
12 Templeton (Taouil 76)
19 Skacel
15 Sutton (Smith 83)
18 Novikovas (Driver 104)
27 Robinson

Substitutes

30 MacDonald,
11 Driver,
21 Taouil,
31 Mrowiec,
22 Smith

Ref: Brines
AYR
HEARTS
Possession

Ayr 51%
Hearts 49%

Attempts on target

Ayr 4
Hearts 6

Attempts off target

Ayr 6
Hearts 4

Corners

Ayr 6
Hearts 16

Fouls

Ayr 13
Hearts 18

Show all live text

Final Result
123:06 Mark Roberts scores a penalty. Ayr 4-1 Hearts on penalties.
122:33 Power penalty taken by Rudi Skacel saved by Kevin Cuthbert.
122:14 Alan Trouten scores a penalty. Ayr 3-1 Hearts on penalties.
121:31 A save by Kevin Cuthbert from penalty by Daniel Grainger.
121:02 James McKernan scores a penalty. Ayr 2-1 Hearts on penalties.
120:30 Penalty scored by Eggert Jonsson. Ayr 1-1 Hearts on penalties.
120:04 Penalty scored by Michael Moffat. Ayr 1-0 Hearts on penalties.
Penalty Shoot-out
120:01 The referee calls the first player forward to start the penalty shoot-out.
Extra Time Complete
120:00+3:09 The match is going to penalties.
114:06 Ross Robertson challenges Rudi Skacel unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed by Daniel Grainger.
113:26 Corner taken by Mehdi Taouil from the left by-line, clearance by Mark Roberts.
112:47 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mehdi Taouil, clearance made by Alan Trouten.
112:47 Booking Darren Barr is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
110:04 Daniel Grainger takes a corner.
109:48 Andrew Driver delivers the ball, Rudi Skacel takes a shot. Ross Robertson gets a block in.
109:05 Centre by Micheal McGowan.
108:14 Daniel Grainger takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Ross Robertson. The ball is swung over by Daniel Grainger, clearance made by Ross Robertson.
107:55 Centre by Andrew Driver, clearance made by Ross Robertson.
106:05 Rudi Skacel challenges Jonathan Tiffoney unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jonathan Tiffoney restarts play with the free kick.
Extra Time Started
105:01 The second half of extra time gets under way.
Extra Time Half Time
103:04 Free kick taken by Edward Malone.
103:04 Substitution Andrew Driver replaces Arvydas Novikovas.
103:04 Alan Trouten fouled by Eggert Jonsson, the ref awards a free kick.
101:36 Eggert Jonsson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Micheal McGowan. Direct free kick taken by Jonathan Tiffoney.
100:43+1:16 Corner taken by Daniel Grainger.
100:27 Outswinging corner taken by Gordon Smith from the right by-line.
98:37 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger, Jonathan Tiffoney makes a clearance.
98:03 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mehdi Taouil from the right by-line.
97:55 The ball is delivered by Arvydas Novikovas, Jonathan Tiffoney gets a block in.
94:59 James McKernan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan. Shot on goal comes in from Daniel Grainger from the free kick, Kevin Cuthbert makes a save.
93:46 Substitution Mark Roberts joins the action as a substitute, replacing Gareth Wardlaw.
92:46 Corner taken right-footed by Micheal McGowan.
92:37 Michael Moffat takes a shot. Daniel Grainger gets a block in.
92:14 The ball is delivered by Rudi Skacel, clearance by Edward Malone.
91:46 Shot by Alan Trouten from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
Extra Time Started
Full Time
90:00+4:13 The whistle goes for the end of normal time.
90:00+0:49 Corner taken by Micheal McGowan from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Ryan McGowan.
89:55 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger from the right by-line, clearance made by Edward Malone.
88:43 The ball is crossed by Micheal McGowan, Janos Balogh makes a save.
87:55 Foul by Gareth Wardlaw on Daniel Grainger, free kick awarded. Marius Zaliukas takes the direct free kick.
87:25 Gordon Smith delivers the ball, save by Kevin Cuthbert.
86:01 Mehdi Taouil concedes a free kick for a foul on Gareth Wardlaw. James McKernan takes the free kick.
84:52 Corner taken by Micheal McGowan from the left by-line to the near post, Janos Balogh makes a save.
84:44 The ball is delivered by Edward Malone, blocked by Marius Zaliukas.
82:50 Substitution (Hearts) makes a substitution, with Gordon Smith coming on for John Sutton.
81:27 Darren Barr takes the free kick.
81:27 Booking Christopher Smith is shown a yellow card.
81:17 Unfair challenge on Scott Robinson by Christopher Smith results in a free kick.
75:53 Substitution Mehdi Taouil is brought on as a substitute for David Templeton.
74:55 Ryan McGowan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Trouten. Kevin Cuthbert takes the direct free kick.
73:24 Unfair challenge on Scott Robinson by Ross Robertson results in a free kick. Daniel Grainger crosses the ball, Ryan McGowan takes a shot. Save by Kevin Cuthbert.
72:00 Arvydas Novikovas challenges Alan Trouten unfairly and gives away a free kick. Edward Malone produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
69:18 Corner taken by Scott Robinson from the right by-line to the near post, Shot by Eggert Jonsson from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target.
68:35 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Scott Robinson, Edward Malone manages to make a clearance.
67:36 Effort from deep inside the area by Arvydas Novikovas misses to the right of the target.
66:50 David Templeton takes a shot. Save by Kevin Cuthbert.
64:54 Corner taken by Daniel Grainger, Alan Trouten manages to make a clearance.
64:32 The ball is sent over by Arvydas Novikovas, Ross Robertson manages to make a clearance.
62:34 GOAL - Gareth Wardlaw:Ayr 1 - 1 Hearts Gareth Wardlaw grabs a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Ayr 1-1 Hearts.
61:27 Direct free kick taken by Kevin Cuthbert.
61:27 Booking Caution for Eggert Jonsson.
59:43 Daniel Grainger takes a inswinging corner to the near post, save made by Kevin Cuthbert. Handball by Eggert Jonsson.
59:07 Free kick awarded for a foul by Michael Moffat on Scott Robinson. Direct free kick taken by Janos Balogh.
58:23 Darren Barr challenges Gareth Wardlaw unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Micheal McGowan.
Correction - 56:57 Arvydas Novikovas concedes a free kick for a foul on Micheal McGowan. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Micheal McGowan, save by Janos Balogh.
56:57 Foul by Arvydas Novikovas on Micheal McGowan, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Micheal McGowan.
56:19 Unfair challenge on Ross Robertson by John Sutton results in a free kick. Kevin Cuthbert restarts play with the free kick.
56:04 Unfair challenge on Scott Robinson by Gareth Wardlaw results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Darren Barr.
53:22 Direct free kick taken by Kevin Cuthbert.
53:22 Substitution John Robertson goes off and Ross Robertson comes on.
53:22 Michael Moffat challenges Scott Robinson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Daniel Grainger from right channel. Foul by Scott Robinson on Edward Malone, free kick awarded.
50:45 Foul by Marius Zaliukas on Michael Moffat, free kick awarded. Edward Malone fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
49:34 Corner taken by Micheal McGowan.
48:13 The assist for the goal came from Daniel Grainger.
48:13 GOAL - Scott Robinson:Ayr 0 - 1 Hearts Scott Robinson grabs a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Ayr 0-1 Hearts.
47:52 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger played to the near post, clearance made by Edward Malone.
47:44 Arvydas Novikovas delivers the ball, Jonathan Tiffoney gets a block in.
47:07 Effort on goal by Gareth Wardlaw from long range goes harmlessly over the target.
46:41 A cross is delivered by Daniel Grainger, clearance made by Alan Trouten.
45:46 Darren Barr takes the direct free kick.
45:46 Booking The referee shows Edward Malone a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
45:28 Edward Malone challenges David Templeton unfairly and gives away a free kick.
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
Half Time
45:00+0:13 The half-time whistle blows.
43:44 Handball decision goes against Rudi Skacel. Kevin Cuthbert restarts play with the free kick.
41:12 Michael Moffat concedes a free kick for a foul on David Templeton. Direct free kick taken by Scott Robinson.
39:24 Ryan McGowan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Edward Malone. Edward Malone takes the free kick.
35:20 Scott Robinson takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, save made by Kevin Cuthbert.
34:24 Rudi Skacel produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.
33:55 David Templeton sends in a cross, clearance made by Christopher Smith.
32:20 Scott Robinson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
28:13 Inswinging corner taken by Micheal McGowan, Edward Malone produces a headed effort from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
27:33 Ryan McGowan challenges Gareth Wardlaw unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Edward Malone.
26:24 Direct free kick taken by Eggert Jonsson.
26:24 Booking Alan Trouten is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
25:59 Unfair challenge on Arvydas Novikovas by Alan Trouten results in a free kick.
24:31 Foul by Michael Moffat on Eggert Jonsson, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Eggert Jonsson.
22:29 Centre by Michael Moffat, Gareth Wardlaw produces a right-footed shot from close range that goes over the bar.
21:52 Foul by Ryan McGowan on Micheal McGowan, free kick awarded. Edward Malone takes the direct free kick.
20:24 Michael Moffat takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
20:00 Inswinging corner taken by Michael Moffat, clearance by Ryan McGowan.
19:46 The ball is delivered by Michael Moffat, Rudi Skacel gets a block in.
15:51 John Sutton challenges Christopher Smith unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by John Robertson.
14:37 David Templeton crosses the ball.
11:49 Corner taken left-footed by Daniel Grainger to the near post, clearance by Edward Malone.
11:30 The ball is swung over by Ryan McGowan, John Sutton takes a shot. Save by Kevin Cuthbert.
9:33 Unfair challenge on Arvydas Novikovas by Micheal McGowan results in a free kick. Ryan McGowan restarts play with the free kick.
8:32 The ball is swung over by Scott Robinson, clearance by Jonathan Tiffoney.
7:30 Eggert Jonsson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alan Trouten. Jonathan Tiffoney takes the direct free kick.
7:08 Arvydas Novikovas sends in a cross, clearance made by Edward Malone.
6:39 Unfair challenge on Micheal McGowan by Daniel Grainger results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jonathan Tiffoney.
4:09 John Sutton concedes a free kick for a foul on Jonathan Tiffoney. Direct free kick taken by Kevin Cuthbert.
0:00 The referee gets the game underway.

Taken from the BBC