Hearts 1 Auchinleck Talbot 0

Jan 8 2012 By Mark Guidi, Sunday Mail

AUCHINLECK TALBOT came within seven minutes of causing one of the biggest Scottish Cup shocks ever.

But the Junior side were denied dominating the headlines when Gordon Smith lashed home a cruel late winner.

The goal was a tragedy for Talbot keeper Andrew Leishman who had made a series of stunning saves – including a first-half penalty stop – to frustrate Hearts.

He banged into defender Brian Slavin as he tried to collect Jordan Morton’s long ball and made a costly fumble.

The ball dropped to Smith 14 yards out and he made no mistake.

It looked like Talbot would come to Leishman’s rescue when Gordon Pope fired past Jamie MacDonald in injury-time.

But a close offside call went against the Junior side and they were denied a money-spinning replay.

Leishman was left to reflect on the one incident that stopped him being a hero.

And the goalie said: “I shouted for the ball but Brian didn’t hear me. It was so noisy out there. It was just one of those things.”

Boss Tommy Sloan refused to blame either player and said: “It was just two committed lads going for the ball.

“Andrew is just 23 but he has a huge presence. He made five or six great saves and was unlucky with their goal. I’m not blaming him. I may have to take calls about Andrew as he is good enough to step up.”

Leishman should be proud of his display as he was the best player on the park. But every one of his team-mates also deserve plaudits for the way they played – none more so than Colin Spence.

The midfielder was terrific and broke up several Hearts attacks. He also enjoyed a few tasty tussles with Ian Black.

Junior Cup holders Talbot came to Tynecastle as 25-1 outsiders.

Hearts boss Paulo Sergio studied a DVD of Talbot’s recent 3-2 defeat at Arthurlie when he did his homework for this tie.

Sergio claimed he didn’t see much to trouble him. Or so he thought. Talbot played the game of their lives and left the Jambos frustrated with some great defending.

Sloan and his coaching staff deserve great credit for the organisation of their side.

Yet Hearts should have had the game wrapped up by half-time. And the fact they didn’t was mainly down to Leishman.

He wasn’t exactly overworked but did what he had to do superbly well.

The 19th-minute spot-kick save was the pick of the bunch. Pope fouled Arvydas Novikovas and ref John Beaton was correct to point to the spot.

Right-back Fraser Mullen was the unlikely taker on his senior debut and his shot was well saved by Leishman low to his right.

That’s the fourth penalty in a row the Jambos have missed and it made the rest of the game an almighty struggle.

Leishman made another top save in 34 minutes when he denied Rudi Skacel and it was fairytale stuff for the keeper as he dazzled a travelling support of around 2000.

Andy Webster should have then left him with no chance with a free header from seven yards but he bulleted it wildly over. Hearts were booed off at half-time and first-team coach Gary Locke stood on the touchline to have a quiet, but telling, word in the ear of a few of the players.

Whatever he said didn’t work immediately as the early onslaught failed to materialise.

Rather than being tired and leggy, the Ayrshire side were full of energy and running. They soaked up pressure and broke up the pitch when they could.

However, Talbot ran offside too often and that ruined their chances of putting keeper MacDonald under pressure.

There was a blow for the Tynecastle side in 71 minutes when stopper Darren Barr had to go off after a clash of heads with Pope.

They were still suffering at the other end of the pitch and when Hearts did find a way through Leishman denied them.

He pulled off another fine save in 75 minutes to deny Skacel again.

But then came the late heartache as Talbot were cruelly sent crashing out.

Sergio was relieved at time-up and showed his respect and admiration for the Junior side when he waited to shake the hands of their players and management.

The home fans also applauded the extraordinary efforts of their opponents.

Talbot lost but they were the real heroes of this memorable clash.

Taken from the Daily Record