Hearts 0-0 Livingston: Craig Gordon hailed after win on penalties in Scottish Cup
- Published
Hearts held their nerve with four well-struck penalty kicks in the shootout
Both managers paid tribute to "imposing" Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon as Hearts edged Livingston out of the Scottish Cup on penalties.
A drab game ended goalless after 120 minutes before Cristiano Montano struck the post then Ayo Obileye had his spot-kick saved by the 39-year-old.
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson thanked Gordon for progress to the last eight.
"If I was an opposition player stepping up and Craig Gordon was in goal, I would have a squeaky bum," he said.
"I thought they all struck their penalties really well. We asked them to go and pick their spot and go and hit it and to their credit they did that."
Scott Pittman had gone closest to breaking the deadlock in 90 minutes when the Livingston midfielder's deflected shot hit a post and manager David Martindale said: "It's a sore one. I feel sorry for the players.
"I don't buy into the idea that penalties are a lottery. It's about ability and mentality. Craig Gordon is an imposing figure in the opposition goal."
Neilson was looking for a response after the midweek defeat by Dundee and striker Ellis Simms had a volley blocked in the third minute.
Livingston striker Bruce Anderson then burst clear, but he could not beat Gordon on the angle from 16 yards, with Pittman unable to fire the rebound towards the target.
Simms was proving to be a handful for the visiting defence and a shot from the on-loan Everton striker was turned away by goalkeeper Max Stryjek before Alex Cochrane was guilty of dithering in front of goal after good work from Barrie McKay.
With the home fans becoming increasingly restless in the second half, resolute Livingston almost snatched the lead with 18 minute remaining.
Joel Nouble collected the ball on the edge of the penalty box and played in Pittman. The midfielder's shot took a deflection, with the ball spinning over the outstretched arm of Gordon only for it to come back off the inside of the post and into the goalkeeper's arms.
Livingston substitute Montano found the net only to be flagged offside, while Hearts rallied in the closing stages of regulation time.
Gary Mackay-Steven fired in a teasing cross that Simms guided just over and, seconds later, John Souttar had Stryjek at full stretch to tip the defender's header over.
Hearts kept up the pressure in extra time and Stryjek had to look lively again to keep out a glancing header from Peter Haring.
Liam Boyce fired over after a mazy run by Souttar, while there was a strong claim for a penalty turned away by referee Nick Walsh as the ball appeared to strike a Livingston hand.
When the penalty kicks did arrive, Hearts held their nerve with four well-struck conversions.
Man of the match - Craig Gordon
The Hearts captain did not have much to do during the 120 minutes but saved one spot-kick and was very close to the one that struck the post
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