Alloa Athletic 1-0 Hearts AET: Championship strugglers claim shock win
- Published
Alan Trouten sent Craig Gordon the wrong way from the spot in extra-time
Scottish Championship strugglers Alloa Athletic stunned Hearts in extra time to earn a place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
After 109 goalless minutes, Jamie Walker was deemed to have fouled Robert Thomson and veteran attacker Alan Trouten stepped up to thrash the spot-kick past Craig Gordon.
It means Peter Grant's side will be in Sunday's last eight draw at the expense of their second-tier rivals, who beat them 3-0 in the league earlier in the week.
Hearts, facing a side with one point in five league games, had the better of the play but struggled to cleave out clear chances.
One of their best came early on, Olly Lee scampering clear after an attacking Alloa set piece and being thwarted by goalkeeper Neil Parry, who also blocked Liam Boyce's follow-up.
Further openings were scarce. Walker headed wide and later had a couple of attempts blocked, while Peter Haring volleyed over.
Alloa's best opportunity came 17 minutes from time, only for Gordon to push a Liam Buchanan header past a post before the game went into an extra half hour.
Hearts again went close, Parry pushing a deflected Jordan Roberts cross on to the bar, before Alloa finally made the breakthrough.
Scott Taggart's cross found its way through to Thomson, who fell under a challenge from Walker. Referee Gavin Duncan awarded a penalty and Trouten secured a stunning win.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Alloa Athletic manager Peter Grant: "I've got boys working until half past four this morning then they're out playing this afternoon. They were so desperate to play and I'm chuffed to bits with them. It's a fantastic credit to them - these boys can play."
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "I thought we battered them the whole game. We just couldn't get the goal. And then we lose the penalty from a bad decision at a key moment, for the referee. We have to take it on the chin but if we don't put it in the back of the net we won't win football matches."