Hearts 1-1 Falkirk (4-5 on pens): Parkinson the hero as Bairns progress to 5th round

Hearts 1-1 Falkirk (4-5 penalties) Parkinson (59′) Shankland (85′ pen) Ben Parkinson’s goal and winning penalty sent Falkirk to the 5th round of the Scottish Cup, dumping the league leaders out at Tynecastle. Hearts started brightly, in an otherwise bleak first half. Claudio Braga raced clear of the Falkirk backline in the opening minutes, but scuffed his left-footed striker wide of Scott Bain’s goal. Alexandros Kyziridis produced a world-class goal to break the deadlock against Falkirk in September. He attempted a similar 25-yard strike after collecting Tomas Magnusson’s cross-field ball, but Bain gathered the bobbling effort. Derek McInnes’s side enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 25 minutes without scoring, to the delight of the large travelling support, who filled most of the Roseburn end. Chances were few and far between for the visitors in the first half. Leon McCann raced towards Alexander Schwolow’s goal on the half-hour mark after picking up a pocket of space. His left-footed strike had power, but was pushed away by the Austrian goalkeeper. The visitors had the final chance of the half when Filip Lissah headed over a Miller freekick. Neither side looked likely to find a goal as Nick Walsh blew his whistle for half-time. McGlynn opted for a triple substitution at the break, including the introduction of Sheffield United loanee Louie Marsh. McInnes kept the same eleven, but looked to have switched Kyziridis to the right flank, in an attempt to penetrate the visiting defence. Magnusson thought he had broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute. The ball broke kindly to the Norwegian following a hopeful long ball, stroking home from close range amidst a sea of Falkirk bodies. But a lengthy VAR check ensued, deeming that the midfielder had controlled the ball with his hand, keeping the scores level. The visiting support cheered the decision and didn’t have long to wait before celebrating again. Substitute Parkinson got across Jordi Altena to tap home Filip Lissah’s low cross in the 58th minute, sending the away allocation into frenzy. The goal galvanised the visitors, and Parkinson should have doubled their advantage after racing clear on goal moments later. But the striker failed to trouble Schwolow, slicing his strike into the Roseburn Stand. With 15 minutes to play, McInnes turned to the latest incomer, Islam Chesnokov, injecting pace into Hearts’ attack. In truth, Bain in the Falkirk goal had enjoyed a quiet second period. The hosts were awarded a lifeline with five minutes to play. Chesnokov made an immediate impact after being hacked in the box by Leon McCann, Shankland powered home the resultant penalty to level proceedings, and set up extra time. A tense extra time period ensued, as both teams wrestled for the winning goal. Miller tested Schwolow with a left-footed strike after finding space on the edge of the box. The low drive looked set to break the net, but the Austrian pushed clear to maintain level proceedings. Spittal went closest for Hearts in the 113th minute with a 25-yard free kick, which dipped narrowly over Bain’s crossbar. Falkirk responded with four minutes to play. McCann marauded into space on the left, his cross broke to substitute Ethan Ross, who blasted from 6 yards towards goal. Schwolow held firm to divert the powerful strike, and Stuart Findlay cleared the danger. Falkirk held their nerve in the penalty shootout, scoring all five of their penalties. Kabangu placed his left-footed strike over Bain’s bar before Parkinson delivered the killer blow. A marathon 120 minutes ended in delight for McGlynn’s determined bunch, for McInnes and Hearts, full focus will shift to their league title charge. Hearts: Schwolow 7 Kent 6 Halkett 7 McCart 6 Milne 6 Altena 6 Magnusson 6 Baningime 7 Kyziridis 6 Braga 5 Shankland 6 Substitutes: Spittal 5 Findlay 5 Kabore 5 Chesnokov 5 Kabangu 3 Forrester 3 Falkirk: Bain 7 McCann 6 Henderson 7 Allan 7 Lissah 7 Cartwright 6 Spencer 7 Yeats 6 Tait 7 Miller 7 Stewart 6 Substitutes: Marsh 5 Wilson 5 Parkinson 6 Adams 4 Ross 3 Graham 2

Dundee United 2-0 Ayr United – Dundee United leave it late to ensure they don’t suffer any upset

Dundee United host in-form Ayr United to Tannadice in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round as Jim Goodwin’s side aim to avoid any upset. A frustrating opening period with no chances at all with both sides showing struggles of keeping the ball, losing possession on many occasions. Dowds had a fantastic chance after 8 minutes, a strike from distance but Richards with a brilliant diving save to deny the Ayr striker an opener. The hosts had a chance of their own, a corner in from Fatah which was punched away by Russell in goals but only as far as Will Ferry who volleyed it from just inside the box but fired just high of goal. Sapsford a minute on had a chance from distance but well stopped by the Ayr shot-stopper. Ayr had a great chance after 18 minutes. A brilliant ball by Finney into Holt where the former Dundee United man whipped the ball across goal but couldn’t find anyone lurking to tap it in. A horrible mistake at the back by Ayr allowed Fatah to have a run at goal but outstanding play by Holt to get back and prevent any danger. Ayr with a wasted chance, an outstanding ball by Dempsey who fed the ball into Jamie Murphy who should’ve unleashed his strike earlier but took far to long and was too late as the hosts were back in position to deny Ayr firing ahead. Stephenson with an unreal attempt from range after 37 minutes but his strike fired just inches wide of goal to ensure the game remains goalless. Into the second 45, substitute Trapanovski had a chance of his own doing what he does best, cutting onto his right and unleashing which was a weak effort which didn’t really test Russell in the Ayr’s goal. Unreal work by Trapanosvki again causing mayhem on the left-hand side, twisting and turning but still can’t get his side in front but some excellent work by the North Macedonian international. Youngster, Cleall-Harding took on a strike from the edge of the box but was well palmed away to avoid the hosts firing in front. Great play by Rus for Ayr, an error by youngster Cleall-Harding as he passed it straight to the Ayr forward with a darting run with his strike flashing wide of goal. Poor play in the middle by Dempsey, losing the ball which fell to Sibbald who put it into the path of Fatah with his strike being well tapped away by Russell. Mark McKenzie with a darting run who fed the ball into Dowds but the attacker just couldn’t control it as the ball went out for a goal kick. A flurry of chances for the hosts, firstly an attempt from close range easily tipped away by the Ayr keeper which was whipped back into the box with Moller getting his head to it but the strike goes just wide of goal. Strain with a ball into the box after bodying off Rus which then found Moller in the centre of the box which found the back of the net to give the substitute his first goal for Dundee United. A darting run by Trapanovski once again, he squared it to the substitute Camara who calmly struck it into the back of the net to put the nail in the coffin for Ayr. Not the best of watches but Jim Goodwin won’t care as his side are into the next round in which wasn’t the most entertaining of games but it’s the hosts who progress as Ayr are out. Dundee United: Richards (6), Ferry (6), Keresztes (6), Graham (6), Cleall-Harding (7), Stephenson (7), Naamo (6), Sibbald (6), Fatah (7), Sapsford (6), Watters (6). Substitutes: Trapanovski (7), Strain (6), Stirton (5), Camara (8), Moller (8). Ayr United: Russell (7), Holt (6), Bannigan (7), Dowds (6), Dempsey (7), Murphy (6), King (6), McKenzie (6), Rus (7), McMann (6), Finney (7). Substitutes: Bonnar (6), Main (6), Summers (6), Thomas (6).

Dunfermline 1-0 Hibernian: Dunfermline defeat Premiership side Hibernian to cause huge cup upset

Dunfermline pulled off a dramatic cup upset at East End Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round as they netted late to defeat Premiership side Hibernian. An own goal from Hibs Midfielder Miguel Chaiwa in the 92nd minute sparked wild celebrations amongst the Dunfermline supporters as Neil Lennon’s side booked their place in the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup. After a cagey start to proceedings from both teams it was the visitors Hibs who carved out the first opportunity of the game in the 10th minute, a good passage of play from Kanayo Megwa and Kieron Bowie, as the Hibs number nine did well to earn his side a corner, Rocky Bushiri was unable to get any real connection onto his header from Jordan Obita’s delivery with Dunfermline keeper Deniz Mehmet collecting with ease. A free-kick from Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath had initially looked to have been over-hit, but Deniz Mehmet in the Pars goal was on hand to get a hand to it and put it out for a Hibs corner, which was quickly cleared from danger. Dunfermline created a few half chances and had several corners for the Hibs backline to deal with but none of which were any concern to Raphael Sallinger in the Hibs net. As the match entered the half hour mark, play was stopped as Josh Mulligan required treatment from the Hibs physios after picking up an ankle injury, the 23-year-old’s afternoon ended as he was replaced by Miguel Chaiwa. The best chance of the half came for Hibs moments before the 40th minute mark when Kieron Bowie latched onto a ball that played him through one-on-one with Deniz Mehmet, who done well to prevent Bowie’s effort from going in with his feet. Both sides headed into the interval with the game level at 0-0. Dunfermline could not have made a better start to the second period as they threatened early on. Joe Newell was caught in possession which allowed Matty Tod to let fly from distance, his strike was pushed away well by Raphael Sallinger. The ball was immediately laid back off to Tod, but he couldn’t force it goalwards. Junior Hoilett then tested the fingertips of Deniz Mehmet whose effort was tipped over the bar. Hibs felt as though they should have been awarded a spot kick in the 55th minute when Thibault Klidje’s cross hitting the arm of Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, however refreee Steven Mclean was having none of it. Dunfermline’s latest January signing Callumn Morrison was given his debut and was involved shortly after as he cut inside before managing to get a shot away, his attempt was tame with Sallinger comfortably gathering. David Gray introduced Nicky Cadden and Dan Barlaser in place of Joe Newell and Junior Hoilett as the Hibs boss made a double change after an hour played. Klidje wasted a huge opportunity to put Hibs ahead when Jordan Obita whipped in a well-timed cross, but the Hibs forward could only head the ball right at Deniz Mehmet. Three additional minutes were added on at the end of the second half. Kieran Ngwenya caught the ball on the half volley in the Hibs box with Rapheal Sallinger doing exceptionally well to tip it over the bar for a corner as the Pars ramped up the pressure in search of a late winner. And Neil Lennon’s men done just that in the 92nd Minute. Kieran Ngwenya rose highest from the resulting corner causing the ball to hit off Miquel Chaiwa on its way to goal, sending Dunfermline into the next round of the cup as the 5,000 travelling Hibs supporters left empty-handed.