Ten-man Hearts edged out Dundee United on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup.

Callum Paterson pounced from close range after 21 minutes to score his third goal for Hearts - all having come on the Tannadice side's home patch.

Johnny Russell poked in an undeserved equaliser 10 minutes from the break.

Dillon is consoled after his penalty miss proved decisive against Hearts

Dillon is consoled after his penalty miss proved decisive against Hearts

Darren Barr was sent off after 79 minutes, but Hearts held on to force a shoot-out in which Sean Dillon missed the vital spot kick.

And it is the Edinburgh side who join Celtic, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Mirren in next Thursday's semi-final draw.

New United signing Rudi Skacel had to be content with a place on the bench against his former club as manager Peter Houston preferred Richie Ryan as a starter in place of Mark Millar in midfield.

Houston had highlighted the role played by Novikovas in last month's 3-0 league win for Hearts at Tannadice - and that he had altered his formation to deny the winger the amount of space he exploited that day.

However, the Lithuanian was an immediate threat again, sending a 22-yard drive thumping into the boards just wide of the post after John Sutton cleverly chested a long ball into his path.

Hearts manager John McGlynn had signalled his attacking intent by starting Sutton up front with Paterson - Andy Driver being dropped to the bench - and they had United pinned back in their own half.

Their greater fluency finally paid off when Paterson nipped between a clutch of static defenders and Radoslaw Cierzniak to send Ryan Stevenson's driven low cross spinning over the goalkeeper's hip.

Cierzniak had to parry wide Danny Grainger's thundering drive from long-range, while a Mehdi Taouil effort spun past the junction of post and upright, as Hearts threatened to extend their lead.

Russell was starved of service as United's sole front man until he brought his side level after Michael Gardyne's shot on the turn from a Keith Webster cross deflected off defender Andy Webster and the Scotland Under-21 striker poked the ball past goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.

Although Hearts remained the more fluid outfit, the home side were first to threaten after the break when MacDonald nervously punched clear Gavin Gunning's powerful cross into the path of Stuart Armstrong.

However, the young midfielder failed to test the goalkeeper with a shot that bobbled wide from 14 yards.

Paterson was unfortunate not to extend his tally against United when his overhead kick struck the inside of the post and into the arms of the relieved Cierzniak.

Minutes after being booked for a foul on Willo Flood, Barr was unfortunate to pick up another when he upended Russell after his own hesitation allowed the striker to beat him to a Webster pass.

Skacel replaced Ryan four minutes into extra time to the cheers of both sets of fans and he almost immediately found his new club a goal behind to his old as a Novikovas free-kick flashed just wide.

MacDonald beat away a John Rankin shot and Skacel had the chance to disappoint the fans who idolise him with five minutes remaining but fired wide from 12 yards.

A Rankin 30-yard blockbuster also clipped the outside of the post, but the match was destined to go to penalties.

Grainger and Sutton failed with Hearts' first two spot kicks, but MacDonald saved from Gary Mackay-Steven and Rankin before Dillon stepped up to lash his effort wide.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Dundee United

  • 01 Cierzniak
  • 02 Dillon
  • 05 Gunning
  • 09 Daly (McLean - 107' )
  • 12 Watson
  • 06 Flood
  • 08 Rankin Booked
  • 10 Ryan Booked (Skacel - 95' )
  • 16 Armstrong
  • 07 Russell
  • 15 Gardyne (Mackay-Steven - 66' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Banks
  • 04 McLean
  • 11 Mackay-Steven
  • 14 Millar
  • 51 Skacel

Heart of Midlothian

  • 01 MacDonald
  • 03 Grainger
  • 04 McGowan Booked
  • 05 Barr Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 06 Webster Booked
  • 26 Zaliukas
  • 33 Paterson
  • 07 Stevenson (Robinson - 54' )
  • 10 Taouil (McGowan - 109' )
  • 09 Sutton
  • 18 Novikovas (Driver - 97' )

Substitutes

  • 21 Enckelman
  • 11 Driver
  • 19 McGowan
  • 08 Robinson
  • 12 Smith
Ref: Murray
Att: 3,789

Match Stats

Shots

6 15

On target

2 5

Corners

5 7

Fouls

12 16

Live Text Commentary

127:21

Spot kick missed by Sean Dillon.

126:39 Penalty

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

126:09 Penalty

Penalty scored by Stuart Armstrong. Dundee Utd 4-4 Hearts on penalties.

125:42 Penalty

Penalty scored by Scott Robinson. Dundee Utd 3-4 Hearts on penalties.

125:10 Penalty

Brian McLean scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 3-3 Hearts on penalties.

124:34 Penalty

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

123:53 Penalty

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

123:24 Penalty

Penalty scored by Andrew Driver. Dundee Utd 1-2 Hearts on penalties.

122:49

A save by Jamie MacDonald from penalty by John Rankin.

122:20 Penalty

Andy Webster scores a penalty. Dundee Utd 1-1 Hearts on penalties.

121:45

A save by Jamie MacDonald from penalty by Gary Mackay-Steven.

121:10

Penalty taken by John Sutton saved by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

120:31 Penalty

Penalty scored by Johnny Russell. Dundee Utd 1-0 Hearts on penalties.

120:03

Spot kick missed by Daniel Grainger.

120:01

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

120:00 +2:06

The match is going to penalties.

118:35

John Rankin takes a shot.

118:05

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

116:08

The ball is delivered by Gary Mackay-Steven, clearance by Daniel Grainger. Willo Flood takes the inswinging corner, John Sutton makes a clearance.

115:00

Gary Mackay-Steven sends in a cross, Effort from deep inside the area by Rudi Skacel misses to the left of the goal.

114:15

Andrew Driver produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

113:12 Booking

Booking The referee shows Ryan McGowan a yellow card.

112:08

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

110:30

The ball is crossed by Callum Paterson, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

109:47

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John Sutton by Brian McLean. Daniel Grainger delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel.

108:50 Substitution

Substitution Dylan McGowan on for Mehdi Taouil.

106:16

Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.

106:16 Substitution

Substitution Brian McLean on for Jon Daly.

106:16

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stuart Armstrong.

105:46

John Rankin takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.

105:01

The referee blows to start the second half of extra time.

103:34

Callum Paterson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven. Gavin Gunning takes the direct free kick. The ball is delivered by Keith Watson.

101:59

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Mackay-Steven. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.

101:09

Gavin Gunning sends in a cross.

99:52

Daniel Grainger fouled by Willo Flood, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.

98:22

Gary Mackay-Steven is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

96:15 Substitution

Substitution Andrew Driver comes on in place of Arvydas Novikovas.

95:23

Strike comes in from Arvydas Novikovas from the free kick.

95:23 Booking

Booking John Rankin booked.

95:20

Foul by John Rankin on Callum Paterson, free kick awarded.

94:03 Substitution

Substitution Rudi Skacel on for Richie Ryan.

93:45

Arvydas Novikovas delivers the ball.

90:00 +2:27

The match has reached the end of normal time.

89:50

Foul by Ryan McGowan on Gary Mackay-Steven, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Gavin Gunning.

85:17

Foul by Arvydas Novikovas on John Rankin, free kick awarded. Sean Dillon restarts play with the free kick.

82:40

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

81:37

The ball is sent over by Gavin Gunning, Ryan McGowan gets a block in. Gary Mackay-Steven takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Ryan McGowan.

79:42

A cross is delivered by Arvydas Novikovas, Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a comfortable save.

78:07

Willo Flood takes the direct free kick.

78:07 Dismissal

Dismissal Darren Barr receives a red card.

77:45

Darren Barr challenges Johnny Russell unfairly and gives away a free kick.

76:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gavin Gunning by John Sutton. John Rankin takes the free kick.

74:39

Callum Paterson takes a shot.

73:56

The ball is crossed by Daniel Grainger, Headed effort from inside the area by Darren Barr misses to the right of the target.

73:32

Short corner taken by Arvydas Novikovas.

67:46

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stuart Armstrong. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.

66:33

Free kick crossed right-footed by Willo Flood, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.

66:33 Booking

Booking Andy Webster is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

65:59

Unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven by Andy Webster results in a free kick.

65:59 Substitution

Substitution Gary Mackay-Steven is brought on as a substitute for Michael Gardyne.

62:08

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

61:37

Foul by John Sutton on Gavin Gunning, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Sean Dillon.

60:14

Effort from close range by Callum Paterson hits the post.

58:39

Jon Daly concedes a free kick for a foul on Callum Paterson. Mehdi Taouil produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

57:30

Richie Ryan restarts play with the free kick.

57:30 Booking

Booking Darren Barr is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

57:27

Unfair challenge on Willo Flood by Darren Barr results in a free kick.

56:29

Daniel Grainger concedes a free kick for a foul on Jon Daly. Jon Daly takes the direct free kick.

55:50

Stuart Armstrong produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

53:52

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

53:22 Substitution

Substitution (Hearts) makes a substitution, with Scott Robinson coming on for Ryan Stevenson.

47:18

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

46:19

The ball is delivered by Gavin Gunning, Jamie MacDonald makes a save. Stuart Armstrong produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:00 +1:01 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

45:00 +0:32

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stuart Armstrong. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.

44:40

John Sutton has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

43:33

Arvydas Novikovas delivers the ball.

41:30

Handball decision goes against Daniel Grainger. Free kick crossed right-footed by Willo Flood from right wing, clearance made by Marius Zaliukas.

38:56

Free kick awarded for a foul by Arvydas Novikovas on Keith Watson. Direct free kick taken by Keith Watson.

38:12

Willo Flood challenges Daniel Grainger unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

37:13

Darren Barr challenges Richie Ryan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Sean Dillon.

34:55

Assist by Keith Watson.

34:55 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Russell - Dundee U 1 - 1 Hearts Goal scored by Johnny Russell from deep inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Dundee Utd 1-1 Hearts.

32:57

Arvydas Novikovas produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the target.

31:04

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Webster by Stuart Armstrong. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.

29:19

Daniel Grainger takes a shot. Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a save. Daniel Grainger takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Gavin Gunning.

28:40

Corner taken by Daniel Grainger, save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

27:41

Richie Ryan concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Stevenson. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Arvydas Novikovas, John Rankin gets a block in.

25:28

Keith Watson concedes a free kick for a foul on Arvydas Novikovas. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Ryan Stevenson. The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

24:07

Willo Flood challenges Ryan Stevenson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ryan Stevenson restarts play with the free kick.

22:39

Outswinging corner taken by Daniel Grainger from the left by-line, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

21:50

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jon Daly by John Sutton. Jon Daly restarts play with the free kick.

20:22

Ryan Stevenson provided the assist for the goal.

20:22 Goal scored

Goal - Callum Paterson - Dundee U 0 - 1 Hearts Callum Paterson fires in a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 0-1 Hearts.

20:10

The ball is crossed by Ryan Stevenson,

16:39

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson by Sean Dillon. Shot comes in from Daniel Grainger from the free kick, blocked by Willo Flood. Corner taken by Daniel Grainger, clearance made by Gavin Gunning.

15:21

Foul by Andy Webster on Johnny Russell, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Gavin Gunning.

13:58

Arvydas Novikovas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Keith Watson. Willo Flood crosses the ball in from the free kick, Andy Webster makes a clearance.

12:05

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

11:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marius Zaliukas on Johnny Russell. Keith Watson takes the free kick.

10:32

A cross is delivered by Arvydas Novikovas, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

9:15

Effort from just outside the area by Ryan Stevenson goes over the bar.

6:22

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

4:53

Outswinging corner taken by Ryan Stevenson from the right by-line.

3:34

Daniel Grainger crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Richie Ryan makes a clearance.

3:34 Booking

Booking Richie Ryan goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

3:28

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan McGowan by Richie Ryan.

1:32

The offside flag is raised against John Rankin. Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

0:36

Arvydas Novikovas has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

0:00

The match has kicked off.

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