Hearts took a significant step towards the Scottish League Cup last 16 after beating Dundee United in a shootout after the sides drew 1-1 at Tynecastle.
Craig Levein’s side were flawless from the spot, with former United defender John Souttar scoring the winning kick after Nicky Clark’s opening penalty was saved by Zdenek Zlamal.
Marquee signing Lawrence Shankland had put United in front early on, before Andy Irving volleyed Hearts level. The 19-year-old was then sent off late on for a deliberate handball.
But his Hearts team-mates went on to claim two points to top the group, while United have to settle for one.
Both now face group games with lower league sides Cowdenbeath, Stenhousemuir and East Fife, with only the group winners guaranteed a place in the knockout stages.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Hearts
- 1Zlamal
- 2Smith
- 4Souttar
- 6Berra
- 51Hickey
- 10WalkerSubstituted forMcDonaldat 80′minutes
- 8Clare
- 40IrvingBooked at 83mins
- 11MulraneySubstituted forZanattaat 75′minutes
- 9Washington
- 19IkpeazuSubstituted forBozanicat 84′minutesBooked at 86mins
Substitutes
- 7Bozanic
- 13Doyle
- 21McDonald
- 22Edwards
- 26Halkett
- 29Zanatta
- 31Burns
Dundee Utd
- 1Siegrist
- 2Smith
- 5ConnollyBooked at 37mins
- 6Reynolds
- 3SporleBooked at 43minsSubstituted forButcherat 45′minutes
- 7McMullan
- 12StantonSubstituted forBanksat 73′minutes
- 19BouhennaBooked at 55mins
- 17Robson
- 10Clark
- 24ShanklandSubstituted forAppereat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 11Smith
- 13Mehmet
- 18Butcher
- 23Harkes
- 25King
- 27Appere
- 34Banks
- Referee:
- Kevin Clancy
- Attendance:
- 9,091
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home66%
- Away34%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away15
Live Text
Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 1(5), Dundee United 1(3).
Penalties over
Penalty Shootout ends, Heart of Midlothian 1(5), Dundee United 1(3).
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(5), Dundee United 1(3). John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(4), Dundee United 1(3). Rachid Bouhenna (Dundee United) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(4), Dundee United 1(2). Conor Washington (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(3), Dundee United 1(2). Scott Banks (Dundee United) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(3), Dundee United 1(1). Michael Smith (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(2), Dundee United 1(1). Paul McMullan (Dundee United) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(2), Dundee United 1. Oliver Bozanic (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the top left corner.
Penalty saved! Nicky Clark (Dundee United) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1(1), Dundee United 1. Sean Clare (Heart of Midlothian) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Penalties in progress
Penalty Shootout begins Heart of Midlothian 1, Dundee United 1.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Dundee United 1.
Foul by Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian).
Calum Butcher (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Mark Reynolds (Dundee United).
Attempt missed. Paul McMullan (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Booking
Oliver Bozanic (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Oliver Bozanic (Heart of Midlothian).
Nicky Clark (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Oliver Bozanic replaces Uche Ikpeazu.
Attempt blocked. Scott Banks (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Dismissal
Andrew Irving (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the red card.
Hand ball by Andrew Irving (Heart of Midlothian).
Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mark Connolly (Dundee United).
Attempt missed. Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian) header from very close range is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Anthony McDonald replaces Jamie Walker.
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Mark Connolly.
Attempt missed. Mark Connolly (Dundee United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left following a corner.
Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Zdenek Zlamal.
Attempt blocked. Nicky Clark (Dundee United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Aaron Hickey (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Nicky Clark (Dundee United).
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Dario Zanatta replaces Jake Mulraney.
Foul by Aaron Hickey (Heart of Midlothian).
Louis Appere (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee United. Scott Banks replaces Samuel Stanton.
Attempt blocked. Jake Mulraney (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
