Craig Halkett scored two and set up another in Hearts' win
Hearts scored four goals for the third game running to maintain to all but win Premier Sports Cup Group E as Stirling Albion were well beaten at Forthbank Stadium.
Craig Halkett headed Derek McInnes' side in front from Alexandros Kyziridis' deep cross and Halkett's headed assist was nodded in by Claudio Braga.
There was a third before the break as Kyziridis shot high into the net after Alan Forrest's cross had been partially cut out.
Braga and Kyziridis made way during the second half as McInnes gave minutes to five substitutes and Halkett was credited with Hearts' fourth. Stuart Findlay attempted to get a touch as Derek Gaston tried to block the initial header but it went down as a Halkett goal.
There was a degree of controversy over the Halkett double, with Hearts awarded a corner in the build-up to the first despite no Stirling player appearing to knock the ball out.
And Albion players confronted referee Dan McFarlane after Hearts' fourth goal, seemingly suggesting Findlay had kicked the ball out of Gaston's hands on the line.
Hearts sit on nine points, six clear of Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical and Dumbarton. Stirling prop up the group with no points so far. Hearts and Albion have one game to play while the other three sides have two fixtures left.
McInnes' team host Dumbarton on Wednesday (19:45).
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