Falkirk inflicted Hearts’ first defeat of the season at Tynecastle Park as they knocked the Premiership leaders out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle on penalties. Visiting substitute Ben Parkinson scored first on 59 minutes but Lawrence Shankland converted an 85th-minute penalty to force extra-time. Credit was due to new signing Islam Chesnokov, who came on for his debut seven minutes earlier and won the vital spot-kick.
However, the penalty shootout brought a 5-4 victory for Falkirk with Elton Kabangu the unfortunate Hearts player to miss. The Belgian sent his effort wide of the post and Parkinson converted the decisive last kick to take Falkirk through to the fifth round of the cup. This was a surprise result given Hearts’ strong home record this term, but the visitors put everything into a dramatic night in Gorgie.
The were more injury worries for Hearts when Shankland departed with a suspected hamstring complaint in extra-time. He will be assessed in the coming days to determine the extent of the problem. There was also the sight of Beni Baningime holding his hamstring in the dying moments. Although this was quite a lacklustre home performance, the effect of playing two games with 10 men in recent days was undoubtedly a factor. Those league wins over Dundee and St Mirren were colossal and tiredness from the hosts was no surprise.
Hearts recalled right-back Adam Forrester from his loan at St Johnstone for this match. The two clubs have a co-operation agreement, meaning Forrester can return to Perth at any time. Suspensions for midfielder Cammy Devlin - who is also injured - and defender Michael Steinwender meant McInnes changed his team and set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Defender Harry Milne anchoring midfield alongside Beni Baningime. Alex Schwolow returned in goal following a midweek suspension.
Falkirk were hoping to cause Hearts some consternation after losing 2-0 and 3-0 in their league meetings with the Capital side this season. Knocking them out of the Scottish Cup would give John McGlynn, a former Tynecastle manager, plenty satisfaction. Likewise a travelling support of 1,842 in the Roseburn Stand. The 8pm Saturday night kick-off time did not deter many fans and they were treated to an open game.
As expected, Hearts largely controlled possession as they probed and prodded at the visitors during the first half-hour. They weren’t creating any clear scoring chances, while Falkirk commendably stuck to their passing principles - even under pressure in their own third of the pitch. At times, their tendency to overplay led to losing possession in dangerous territory several times, leaving McGlynn visibly exasperated in the technical area.
Left-back Leon McCann got forward to rasp Schwolow’s palms with a 20-yard drive, but half-time arrived with both goalkeepers notably underworked. McGlynn made three interval changes as Kyrell Wilson, Parkinson and Louie Marsh entered the fray. Hearts kept faith with their line-up and forced the ball into the net on 53 minutes, but Tomas Magnusson was ruled to have handled it before scoring. Six minutes later, the net bulged at the other end as Falkirk went 1-0 up.
Filip Lissah’s driving run on the right side preceded a low cross which Parkinson slid in to convert from close range. It was a huge moment for the away side as they sensed a cup upset. They could have gone 2-0 ahead seconds later when Hearts substitute Blair Spittal inadvertently headed into the unmarked Parkinson’s path, but the on-loan forward shot over the crossbar. Falkirk now looked a different proposition to the first half as they passed the ball into spaces and through lines in the hosts’ half.
Chesnokov was introduced by Hearts with 77 minutes gone in the hope that he might be able to unlock the Falkirk rearguard. Those in maroon were becoming more frantic as they desperately tried to avoid a cup exit. In the 85th minute, Chesnokov forced the issue. After a penetrating run deep into the Falkirk box, he was felled by McCann’s challenge and referee Nick Walsh pointed for a penalty. Shankland stepped up to drive the spot-kick high into the net past the Falkirk keeper Scott Bain.
Although grateful for extra-time, it was also the last thing Hearts needed after playing two games in the last week with 10 men. Calvin Miller was presented with a chance following a mistake by Magnusson - now playing right-back - but his powerful low shot was pushed away by Schwolow’s smart save. Then came another injury, perhaps due to fatigue amid such a demanding few days. Shankland pulled up with what looked like a hamstring problem and was quickly replaced by Elton Kabangu.
McInnes roared at his players to increase the tempo and urged his back line to step up and squeeze the game. He was keen to avoid penalties. Schwolow blocked Marsh’s volley brilliantly after Falkirk sprung a counter-attack, but these two teams couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes and penalty shootout ensued at Tynecastle’s Roseburn end. For Hearts, Blair Spittal, Alexandros Kyziridis, Landry Kabore and Harry Milne scored, but Elton Kabangu missed their fourth kick. For Falkirk, Brad Spencer, Liam Henderson, Brian Graham, Dylan Tait and Parkinson all converted to earn a place in the fifth round.
Here are the Hearts player ratings from Tynecastle:
17. SUB: Adam Forrester (for Magnusson, 106 mins)
2/10 Recalled and thrown back in for the second period of extra-time. Did his job efficiently for 15 minutes. | SNS Group
