Summary

  • Listen to Sportsound from Rugby Park

  • Grant angles Hearts into lead but Lyons heads Kilmarnock level after break

  • Lowry strikes late on to put Hearts in front

  • First Viaplay Cup quarter-final

  1. Postpublished at 22:24 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    That's us for tonight. Thanks for joining.

    We'll be back tomorrow with the final three quarter-final ties and the semi-final draw.

    G'night.

    Hearts celebrateImage source, SNS
  2. Killie 'pay ultimate price' after showing 'naivety'published at 22:23 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "I thought we were terrific second half, we had to come from losing a disappointing goal.

    "Half time came at a good time, we tinkered with it, we put Matty Kennedy through the middle, effectively going with Danny [Armstrong] stretched out on one side and tried to occupy their centre backs a bit more.

    "We had four or five shots in the first five or six minutes of the second half and something we’ve been guilty of is not hitting the target enough, but I thought there was a real belief about us, I thought we dragged the cup tie to where we needed it to be and we get a deserved equaliser.

    "We are guilty of naivety towards the end. We hit a diagonal free-kick that opens the pitch up when there’s no need to do it, it’s almost as if we were losing the game and we had to throw caution to the wind.

    "We’ve paid the ultimate price."

  3. Postpublished at 22:19 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    We're just waiting for reaction from Killie boss Derek McInnes, who will surely be absolutely gutted at that late defeat.

  4. What's next for Killie & Hearts?published at 22:18 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Both sides are in league action on Saturday at 15:00 BST.

    Kilmarnock host high-flying St Mirren, while Hearts travel to the Highlands to face Ross County.

    In the meantime, you can catch more news, analysis and fan views on our dedicated Hearts and Kilmarnock pages.

  5. The winning momentpublished at 22:14 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Lowry shapes to shoot in the boxImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Alex Lowry shows patience and shapes to shoot in the box

    His shot is fired towards goalImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    His shot is fired towards the bottom-right corner

    It beats Will Dennis and the Killie players look dejectedImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    It beats Will Dennis and heartbroken Killie players fall to the turf

  6. Postpublished at 22:12 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland tells BBC Scotland: "It's massive. We had to show great belief in ourselves. I'm delighted for him. He showed really, really good composure. I was so happy it didn't go to extra-time."

    Hearts match-winner Alex Lowry tells BBC Scotland: "I was surprised [the chance] even came, it was just about hitting the target. I've been disappointed of late, hopefully I can kick on and help the team as much as possible."

    Lowry & ShanklandImage source, SNS
  7. Naismith hails Lowry's 'unbelievable moment'published at 22:09 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Hearts boss Steven Naismith tells BBC Scotland: "The conditions were tricky. Overall, I thought we played really well. It was a very tight game.

    "I'm pleased that we're through, I'm now half thinking about Ross County at the weekend.

    "I know we've been inconsistent. Our performances are really good or flat. I'm pleased we put on a performance.

    "Ultimately, I won trophies as player, I want to do it as a manager. I know how good it is. We'll watch the games tomorrow and see how it plays out.

    "I've asked [Alex Lowry] to show moments of quality, not potential, and he comes up with an unbelievable moment."

  8. When's the semi-final draw?published at 22:06 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Hearts are the first of four teams in the semi-final draw, which will take place straight after Rangers' quarter-final at home to Livingston tomorrow night.

    The ties are due to be played at Hampden on the weekend of 4/5 November, with the final scheduled for 17 December.

  9. Wednesday's gamespublished at 22:04 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    All games 19:45 kick-offs unless stated

    • Hibernian v St Mirren
    • Ross County v Aberdeen
    • Rangers v Livingston (20:00)
  10. Drama continues to find Killiepublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    In three of their last five games, Kilmarnock have conceded in 90+ minutes.

    One lead to a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell, another was Saturday's 2-2 draw at Dundee, plus tonight.

    That's an issue Derek McInnes will need to iron out quickly.

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 HeartsImage source, SNS
    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 HeartsImage source, SNS
  11. That Hampden feelingpublished at 21:55 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 HeartsImage source, SNS
    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 HeartsImage source, SNS
  12. 'Fantastic finish'published at 21:52 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Lee McCulloch
    Former Rangers midfielder & Kilmarnock manager on BBC Sportsound

    The performance always comes second to the result. It was a scrappy game.

    Alex Lowry comes up with a moment of composure in injury time. He still had the goalkeeper and defender to beat on the line.

    A fantastic finish.

    Lowry goalImage source, SNS
  13. Seismic result for Heartspublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Kheredine Idessane
    BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

    Well, well. I wondered when Alex Lowry's stint at Hearts might take off. Tonight at Rugby Park, in stoppage time, he delivered the answer in some style.

    Just as we were all preparing for extra-time, following a rousing comeback from Kilmarnock, Lowry pounced to send the visiting fans back to the capital in celebratory mood.

    After five defeats in their last six, this feels like a big, big win for Hearts, who're the first team through to this season's Viaplay Cup semi-finals at Hampden.

    The Jam Tarts are singing in the rain at Rugby Park.

  14. 'Huge result for Naismith'published at 21:45 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on Viaplay

    That's massive.

    It's a huge result for Hearts and the manager.

  15. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Late, late, late drama.

    A 92nd-minute winner from Alex Lowry, a minute after coming on as a substitute, sends Hearts to Hampden.

    A first League Cup semi-final in four years for the Jam Tarts.

    Lowry celebratesImage source, SNS
  16. Postpublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Killie can't get the ball forward.

    Ninety-five minutes on the clock.

  17. Postpublished at 21:40 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts

    Alex Lowry had been on the pitch for a grand total of one minute before smashing that in.

    Talk about an instant impact.

  18. goal

    GOAL! Kilmarnock 1-2 Heartspublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Alex Lowry

    How about that?!

    Seconds after coming on to the pitch, Alex Lowry shows superb composure and patience in the box before rifling a finish into the bottom-right corner.

    That surely wins it.

    Hearts goal
  19. Postpublished at 21:37 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts

    Four minutes added.

  20. ouch!

    Ouch!published at 21:37 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

    Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts

    Just moments after taking a booking, Hearts midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof is down and needing treatment.

    Beni Baningime will replace him, while Alex Lowry is on Kenneth Vargas.

    FT: Kilmarnock 1-2 HeartsImage source, SNS