Heart of Midlothian 3-1 Livingston

From Hearts Media at Tynecastle.

Two quick-fire second half goals from Marius Zaliukas helped Hearts advance to the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup after a 3-1 win over Livingston on Tuesday night.

The Jambos made just one change to the side that swept Dundee United aside on Saturday, as Andy Driver replaced Dale Carrick on the right wing.

Livingston made the first move in a subdued start to the game as Marc McNulty dragged a shot wide from just inside the box after being released by the lively Iain Russell.

Hearts gradually began to impose themselves, enjoying plenty of possession but ultimately lacking the cutting edge in front of goal. As was the case at Tannadice on Saturday, however, the Jambos came to life on the half hour mark with Scott Robinson testing Livingston keeper Andrew McNeil from close range.

Just as the visitors looked to have survived a late onslaught, however, the Jam Tarts went ahead on the stroke of half time. A Danny Grainger drive from 25 yards took a heavy deflection and looped into the bottom left corner past the outstretched McNeil.

John McGlynn's men looked comfortable after the restart, but then found themselves back on level terms just before the hour mark thanks to some sloppy play by Zalikukas. He showed hesitancy on the ball just twenty yards from goal, allowing McNulty to dispossess him before carrying the ball into the box and slamming it into the roof of the net.

The Captain, however, was determined to make amends and restored his side's lead just ten minutes later has he rifled an unstoppable shot into the bottom left corner from seven yards out.

Four minutes later he was on hand again as he leapt to steer a Ryan Stevenson corner into the bottom left corner.

The home side were reasonably comfortable for the remainder of the game, and although Arvydas Novikoas and Callum Paterson both wasted good opportunities late on, the Jambos comfortably saw out the remaining minutes as they advanced to the Quarter Finals.

Hearts: MacDonald; R.McGowan, Zaliukas, Barr, Grainger; Driver (Carrick 83), Taouil, Robinson, Novikovas, Stevenson; Paterson (Sutton 81). Subs not used: Enckelman, D.McGowan, G.Smith.

Livingston: McNeil; Doherty, Tena (Fordyce 76), Watson, Barr; Jacobs, Andreu, Russell (Easton 85), McNulty; Morton (Gray 82), Scougall. Subs not used: Jamieson, Downie.

Referee: Steven McLean

Top man: Marius Zaliukas

Hearts World