Airdrie had to make a change for this game with Scott McLaughlin replacing Simon Lynch as the Diamonds matched Hearts' three man central midfield.

Hearts of course were justified favourites with 2 league wins to their credit at home to Motherwell and St. Mirren, whilst Airdrie's mean defence had been miserely for three straight.

Hearts enjoyed the majority of the early territory.   Lithuanian cheat, sorry it'll stick forever, Mikoliunas is actually a fairly decent player and he threatened constantly down the right, using his pace to get in behind Hazely on a regular basis.   Larry Kingston is a decent playmaker, maybe not quite Russell Latapy of a few years ago, but still a decent player.   And Jamie Mole played the lone striker role and threatened to break through on a few occassions.   Michael Stewart, fresh from winning a Scotland cap last week, made plenty of early space for himself in midfield and constantly probed away looking for a break.

But Airdrie stood firm.  David Nixon was immense in defence and made three brilliant clearances in the first half.    Robertson swept up to great effect on the few occassions that Mole and the Cheat broke clear too.  

And as Airdrie weathered the storm, our midfield eventually got to grips with the task.  After a slow start for them, McKenna, MacDonald and McLaughlin started to impose themselves.   The diamonds started to make progress more, Marc Smyth looking majestic strolling forward on the right flank.   Paul di Giacomo first threatened with a powerful drive from the edge of the box then later capitalised on a good MacDonald run to thrash a spectacular 30 yard dipping shot off the underside of the cross bar that seemed to bounce either on or maybe even just over the line but the goal was not awarded despite di Giacomo's best shouts.

A slow start to the second half saw Robertson have to make his first real quality save when having to get down to his left at full stretch to turn a Mole shot wide.

Airdrie took control of the game in the last 20 minutes of normal time.   MacDougall suddenly looked like a world beater on the right, Di Giacomo was just simply irresistable and the midfield were first to every single ball.  Hearts goal lived a charmed life but the game went to extra time.

With the three subs on,  Darren Smith, Michael Brown and Simon Lynch, for Cardle, MacDougall and Di Giacomo, Airdrie lacked some of our earlier pace but still created chances, Brown twice going close.

MacDonald picked up a second booking though just after the second extra time period commenced with a tired late lunge on Berra.   It wasn't malicious, just late, but he had to go.

That gave Hearts enough scope to bombard Robertson in the last 5 minutes of the game but the wee man was immense, making a few good saves.

And then it was penalties.   Robbo was the hero saving from from Lee Wallace and Obua to clinch it after Lynch, Smyth, Hazely and McLaughlin scored ours - Darren Smith being spared the cruel penalty heartache - sorry, intentional pun.

A brilliant night for Kenny Black, his team were so well organised.   Robertson was superb.  Smyth again looked a class act.   Nixon and Donnelly were immense, Nixon in particular leading by example with several key interceptions.  McKenna improved in that holding role as the game wore on, just getting better and better, breaking up so many Hearts moves.    Hazley, Cardle, MacDougall, McLaughlin and MacDonald all improved as the game went on with the wingers really growing up rapidly.   You could see the rawness in some of these boys but as the game wore on they grew in confidence and the 90mins ended with us on top.    Di Giacomo was class in a glass for his 75 minutes.   His goal wasn't given but he proved he was the main man with a majestic solo front running effort, guts and determination are just to adjectives to describe his gallant efforts for the cause that should not be underestimated.

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