Hearts claim shootout comeback win to reach Scottish Cup quarter-finals

At the end of extra time, with the score tied at one, Neil Critchley’s comeback team, undefeated since Boxing Day, won their victory in the shootout when 42-year-old goalie Gordon stopped the Buddies’ opening two kicks from James Scott and Oisin Smyth.

After Gerald Taylor’s kick, Hearts’ fourth, was saved by Zach Hemming, James Penrice completed the Jambos’ triumph.

Stephen Robinson, the manager of St Mirren, substituted two wing-backs from the 1-0 loss against St Johnstone: Declan John replaced Scott Tanser on the opposite side, and Ryan Alebiosu, a player on loan from Kortrijk, made his debut in lieu of Elvis Bwonomo on the right.

Musa Drammeh was replaced by Alan Forrest, who made his first start since December, as the Hearts team trounced Dundee 6-0 to become undefeated for the seventh consecutive game. Sander Kartum, a Norwegian midfielder, was benched for the first time since joining from SK Brann in January.

Toyosi Olusanya got in behind the Hearts defense to latch on to goalkeeper Hemming’s long kick-out in the fourth minute, but the Saints, who had lost five of their previous seven games, wasted a fantastic opportunity.

Hemming brushed back January signing Elton Kabangu’s fierce low effort from 20 yards out in the 13th minute, which was the visitors’ first opportunity. Kabangu had scored five goals in his last three games.

Saints quickly began to apply more pressure, though, as Beni Baningime blocked Marcus Fraser’s attempt in the box before Jamie McCart, a defender for Hearts, had to make a crucial interception to stop Mandron turning in a low delivery from Olusanya, who had taken advantage of a slack passback from Adam Forrester and pulled Gordon out to the left edge of his six-yard box.

The Buddies broke the tie in the 22nd minute when Gordon parried Mark O’Hara’s low curling drive from the angle of the area, and Mandron was the first to react, stabbing in the rebound from just inside the six-yard box.

The rest of the first half saw no response from Hearts, who were jeered off by their 1,600 supporters.

Early in the second half, Olusanya and Killian Phillips both missed golden chances, almost making matters worse for the visitors.

Following the injuries to Lewis Neilson and Cammy Devlin, the Tynecastle team brought in January additions Michael Steinwender and Kartum to help save the match.

In the 84th minute, however, another substitute put Hearts on even terms as Nieuwenhof was in a prime position to drill home from 10 yards out after Phillips blocked Penrice’s effort to get a shot off James Wilson’s low cross.

After a protracted and exhausting battle, it turned out to be a crucial moment as the Jambos ultimately won.

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