Hearts' road to Hampden

Mar 16 2013 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

Hearts 3 Livingston 1

Round Three, September 25

First up for Hearts was a potentially-tricky encounter with First Division outfit Livingston.

The West Lothian side looked to have survived a first half onslaught but, just seconds from the break, a 25-yard Danny Grainger effort was deflected past visiting goalie Andrew McNeil to make it 1-0 to the Jambos.

John McGlynn’s men looked to be cruising after the break but sloppy defending by skipper Marius Zaliukas let in Marc McNulty, who scored the equaliser.

Zaliukas made amends by restoring his side’s lead 10 minutes later as he rifled home an unstoppable shot.

And, shortly afterwards, the Lithuanian centre-half steered a Ryan Stevenson corner into the net to make it 3-1 and seal the win.

Dundee United 1 Hearts 1 (Hearts won 5-4 on penalties after extra-time)

Quarter-final, October 31

Ten-man Hearts booked their place in the semi-finals by edging out United in a dramatic encounter at Tannadice.

Callum Paterson handed the Jam Tarts the lead with a close range strike after 20 minutes, following excellent play by Ryan Stevenson.

However, Johnny Russell levelled the scores 10 minutes before half-time as United mounted their first serious attack of the game.

John Sutton smacked the post after the break but Hearts were reduced to 10 men when Darren Barr received a second yellow card for a foul on Russell.

There were no goals in extra-time, meaning the tie went to penalties.

Danny Grainger and Sutton missed for Hearts but Gary Mackay-Steven sent his kick wide and Jamie Macdonald saved from John Rankin.

Marius Zaliukas eventually put his team 5-4 up and, when Sean Dillon, failed to convert, the Tynecastle fans were in party mode.

Hearts 1 Inverness Caley Thistle 1 (Hearts won 5-4 on penalties after extra-time)

Semi-final, January 26

Hearts booked their place at Hampden courtesy of another nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Inverness at Easter Road.

Andrew Shinnie’s strike just after the interval put the Highlanders ahead, after Andy Driver had been caught in possession on the edge of his own box.

However, the Jambos drew level midway through the second period, thanks to debut boy Michael Ngoo, who latched onto an Andy Webster knockdown to volley home from six yards.

Hearts were forced to negotiate extra-time with just 10 men – for the second round in a row – after Scott Robinson received a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Billy McKay.

With the scores still level after 120 minutes, spot-kicks would be needed to decide the winner.

Marius Zaliukas, Ngoo, Webster, Arvydas Novikovas and Mehdi Taouil all converted their penalties for Hearts before Philip Roberts fired Thistle’s final kick high over the crossbar.