Dundee United 1-1 Hearts (Hearts win 5-4 on pens)

Sean Dillon's miss in penalty shootout sudden death saw 10-man Hearts progress to the Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final at the expense of Dundee United.

Callum Paterson put the visitors in front after 20 minutes and hit a post in the second half after Johnny Russell's 35th-minute equaliser.

Hearts midfielder Darren Barr was sent off for a second bookable offence after 78 minutes and United went closest to an extra-time winner when John Rankin hit the post in the 119th minute before the disjointed affair went to penalties.

The teams remained level after the regulation five penalties apiece and after Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas converted the 13th spot-kick, Dillon stepped up to fire wide, sending the visitors into the last four alongside Celtic, Inverness and St Mirren.

Rudi Skacel, who left Hearts after winning the Scottish Cup in May and trained with the Tynecastle club before joining United last week, came off the bench in extra-time but was not selected to take a penalty.

Skacel and Gary Mackay-Steven, available for the first time since August following knee surgery, were among the substitutes, as United made one change from the side which beat St Mirren on Saturday.

Victory in Paisley ended a six-match winless run in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League which included Hearts winning 3-0 at Tannadice in September, when Paterson scored twice.

The 18-year-old started up front in a 4-4-2 formation, joined by John Sutton, the scorer of the last-gasp equaliser against Ross County on Saturday.

Ryan Stevenson required attention to a head injury sustained in a challenge with Dillon in a scrappy opening, but the Hearts midfielder recovered to set up the opening goal.

Stevenson found space on the Hearts left after Willo Flood failed to win the ball from Arvydas Novikovas and hit a low cross which Paterson met at the near post to tap in.

Boosted by the goal, Hearts went in search of a second.

Danny Grainger forced Cierzniak to save and Mehdi Taouil shot over, but then United hit back with their first real opportunity.

A Keith Watson pass found Michael Gardyne on the edge of the area and his shot was blocked, only for the ball to break for Russell to prod in beyond Jamie MacDonald.

United started the second half on the attack, with Stuart Armstrong shooting narrowly wide.

Hearts responded, twice going close. Cierzniak repelled a Taouil free-kick before Sutton headed down a Grainger cross for Paterson, whose acrobatic strike came off the post and the United goalkeeper was relieved to claim the rebound.

Mackay-Steven came on for Gardyne and was immediately clattered by Andy Webster, who was booked.

Barr glanced a header wide across goal from Grainger's cross and Novikovas then shot weakly at Cierzniak as he cut inside.

Just as the visitors appeared to be getting on top they were reduced to 10 men as Barr, who was booked earlier in the second half for pulling down Flood, was cautioned for a poor challenge on Russell in an innocuous position.

United were unable to make their numerical advantage pay and Hearts were content to play for the additional time.

Five minutes into the first period of extra-time, Skacel replaced Ryan to acclaim from the home and visiting support.

After Rankin had a shot saved by MacDonald, Skacel might have won it for United with five minutes remaining.

Mackay-Steven ran to the by-line and cut the ball back for Skacel to blast narrowly over.

A late corner fell for Rankin 30 yards out and his powerful shot hit the outside of the post, but the match went to penalties.

Grainger and Sutton missed Hearts' first two penalties, but misses from Mackay-Steven and Rankin meant the tie went to sudden death, with Dillon's miss decisive.

Penalty missed by Sean Dillon.
127

Penalty scored by Marius Zaliukas. Dundee Utd 4-5 Hearts on penalties.
126

Stuart Armstrong scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 4-4 Hearts on penalties.
126

Scott Robinson scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 3-4 Hearts on penalties.
125

Penalty scored by Brian McLean. Dundee Utd 3-3 Hearts on penalties.
125

Ryan McGowan scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 2-3 Hearts on penalties.
124

Penalty scored by Gavin Gunning. Dundee Utd 2-2 Hearts on penalties.
123

Andrew Driver scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 1-2 Hearts on penalties.
123

Penalty taken by John Rankin is saved by Jamie MacDonald.
122

Penalty scored by Andy Webster. Dundee Utd 1-1 Hearts on penalties.
122

Power penalty taken by Gary Mackay-Steven saved by Jamie MacDonald.
121

Placed penalty taken by John Sutton saved by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
121

Johnny Russell scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 1-0 Hearts on penalties.
120

Penalty missed by Daniel Grainger.
120

The players are ready for the drama of the penalty shoot-out.

The match goes to a penalty shoot-out.

John Rankin takes a shot.
118

Willo Flood takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Ryan McGowan.
118

The ball is sent over by Gary Mackay-Steven, clearance by Daniel Grainger. Corner taken right-footed by Willo Flood from the right by-line, John Sutton makes a clearance.
116

Centre by Gary Mackay-Steven, Rudi Skacel produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
115

Effort from the edge of the area by Andrew Driver goes wide of the right-hand upright.
114

Caution for Ryan McGowan.
113

The assistant referee flags for offside against Gavin Gunning. Free kick taken by Callum Paterson.
112

Callum Paterson crosses the ball, save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
110

John Sutton fouled by Brian McLean, the ref awards a free kick. Daniel Grainger crosses the ball in from the free kick.
109

Dylan McGowan on for Mehdi Taouil.
108

Stuart Armstrong is caught offside. (Dundee Utd) makes a substitution, with Brian McLean coming on for Jon Daly. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
106

John Rankin takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
105

The referee blows to get the second half of extra time under way.

Callum Paterson concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven. Gavin Gunning restarts play with the free kick. Keith Watson sends in a cross.
103

The assistant referee flags for offside against Gary Mackay-Steven. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
101

A cross is delivered by Gavin Gunning.
101

Free kick awarded for a foul by Willo Flood on Daniel Grainger. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
99

The official flags Gary Mackay-Steven offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
98

Andrew Driver joins the action as a substitute, replacing Arvydas Novikovas.
96

Unfair challenge on Callum Paterson by John Rankin results in a free kick. John Rankin is booked. Arvydas Novikovas produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
95

Rudi Skacel is brought on as a substitute for Richie Ryan.
94

Arvydas Novikovas crosses the ball.
93

The referee blows for the end of normal time.

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven by Ryan McGowan. Gavin Gunning restarts play with the free kick.
89

Unfair challenge on John Rankin by Arvydas Novikovas results in a free kick. Sean Dillon restarts play with the free kick.
85

Daniel Grainger takes the outswinging corner, Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a save.
82

Gavin Gunning produces a cross, Ryan McGowan gets a block in. Gary Mackay-Steven takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Ryan McGowan.
81

Arvydas Novikovas produces a cross, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
79

Johnny Russell fouled by Darren Barr, the ref awards a free kick. The referee red cards Darren Barr for second bookable offence. Free kick taken by Willo Flood.
77

Free kick awarded for a foul by John Sutton on Gavin Gunning. Free kick taken by John Rankin.
76

Callum Paterson takes a shot.
74

Centre by Daniel Grainger, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Darren Barr misses to the right of the target.
73

Short corner worked by Arvydas Novikovas.
73

The assistant referee flags for offside against Stuart Armstrong. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
67

Gary Mackay-Steven joins the action as a substitute, replacing Michael Gardyne. Unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven by Andy Webster results in a free kick. Andy Webster is given a yellow card. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Willo Flood, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
65

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Willo Flood. Johnny Russell is caught offside. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
62

Unfair challenge on Gavin Gunning by John Sutton results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Sean Dillon.
61

Callum Paterson takes a shot from close in that hits the post.
60

Jon Daly concedes a free kick for a foul on Callum Paterson. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Mehdi Taouil, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
58

Foul by Darren Barr on Willo Flood, free kick awarded. Darren Barr booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken by Richie Ryan.
57

Daniel Grainger challenges Jon Daly unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jon Daly takes the direct free kick.
56

Shot from just outside the area by Stuart Armstrong misses to the right of the target.
55

Daniel Grainger gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean Dillon. Sean Dillon takes the free kick.
53

Scott Robinson joins the action as a substitute, replacing Ryan Stevenson.
53

Foul by Stuart Armstrong on Mehdi Taouil, free kick awarded. Daniel Grainger shoots direct from the free kick.
47

The ball is swung over by Gavin Gunning, save made by Jamie MacDonald. Stuart Armstrong has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
46

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

The ref blows to signal half-time.

Stuart Armstrong is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
45

Header by John Sutton from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
44

Arvydas Novikovas produces a cross.
43

Handball decision goes against Daniel Grainger. Willo Flood crosses the ball in from the free kick, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.
41

Unfair challenge on Keith Watson by Arvydas Novikovas results in a free kick. Keith Watson takes the free kick.
38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Willo Flood on Daniel Grainger. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
38

Unfair challenge on Richie Ryan by Darren Barr results in a free kick. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.
37

Johnny Russell grabs a goal from deep inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Dundee Utd 1-1 Hearts.Assist by Keith Watson.
34

Shot from just outside the area by Arvydas Novikovas misses to the right of the target.
32

Foul by Stuart Armstrong on Andy Webster, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.
31

Daniel Grainger takes a shot. Save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak. Corner taken by Daniel Grainger, Gavin Gunning manages to make a clearance.
29

Corner taken right-footed by Daniel Grainger, Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a save.
28

Ryan Stevenson fouled by Richie Ryan, the ref awards a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Arvydas Novikovas from the free kick, blocked by John Rankin.
27

Keith Watson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Arvydas Novikovas. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Ryan Stevenson. The offside flag is raised against John Sutton. Free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
25

Willo Flood challenges Ryan Stevenson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Ryan Stevenson.
24

Corner taken by Daniel Grainger from the left by-line, Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a save.
22

John Sutton concedes a free kick for a foul on Jon Daly. Jon Daly takes the free kick.
21

The ball is delivered by Ryan Stevenson, A goal is scored by Callum Paterson from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 0-1 Hearts.Ryan Stevenson provided the assist for the goal.
20

Sean Dillon challenges Ryan Stevenson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Grainger fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, blocked by Willo Flood. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Daniel Grainger, clearance made by Gavin Gunning.
16

Johnny Russell fouled by Andy Webster, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Gavin Gunning.
15

Free kick awarded for a foul by Arvydas Novikovas on Keith Watson. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Willo Flood, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.
13

Inswinging corner taken by Willo Flood from the left by-line, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.
12

Marius Zaliukas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Johnny Russell. Keith Watson restarts play with the free kick.
11

Arvydas Novikovas delivers the ball, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
10

Shot by Ryan Stevenson from outside the box goes over the net.
9

The referee blows for offside. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
6

Corner from right by-line taken by Ryan Stevenson.
4

Unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan by Richie Ryan results in a free kick. The referee shows Richie Ryan a yellow card. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Daniel Grainger, Richie Ryan manages to make a clearance.
3

The offside flag is raised against John Rankin. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
1

Arvydas Novikovas has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the goal.

The match gets underway.

Taken from sportinglife.com