Hearts edged a six-goal thriller thanks in no small half to tremendous sub Aaron McEneff to storm into the Scottish Cup semi last on a pulsating night in Gorgie.
McEneff scored inside seconds of leaving the bench halfway via the second half to fireside the Jambos again forward after they’d blown a two-goal lead.
He then turned supplier for Ellis Simms to settle the tie after Beni Baningime - along with his first profession objective - and Peter Haring had shot them into an early two-goal lead.
An outrageous ding-dong cup tie beneath the Tynecastle lights noticed the Jambos blaze right into a commanding place earlier than being pegged again by the spirited St Mirren for whom Connor Ronan struck an unbelievable second half equaliser.
However McEneff netted along with his first contact to show the tide again in Hearts’ favour earlier than laying the fourth on a plate for for Simms as Hearts turn out to be the primary facet to ebook a semi last spot.
Jak Alnwick was again between the sticks for Saints and needed to look sharp after seven minutes to parry a fizzing Barrie McKay strike.
Hearts had been taking part in the neater stuff early on and the ever spectacular McKay was on the coronary heart of most of it. A intelligent reverse cross to Ben Woodburn resulted in Liam Boyce’s low cross being hacked clear by Charles Dunne.
However in 16 minutes the Jambos cast forward.
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McKay once more was the creator with a low cross slung in from the left inflicting all types of hassle. Simms obtained a toe to it, Alnwick might solely block his effort and Baningime adopted in to slam house from a few yards.
The guests had been inflicting Hearts issues down the flanks although as they appeared for a fast response. They'd a penalty shout when Andy Halliday caught Greg Kiltie after he’d fired over the bar however ref Bobby Madden waved play on.
And moments later Hearts doubled their benefit from one other shock supply when Haring completed off a sweeping transfer.
Simms fed Liam Boyce whose ball out to Ben Woodburn was excellent for the Liverpool loanee to cushion a primary time cross into the field for Haring to slam house.
The Buddies weren’t for mendacity down and inside 5 minutes had pulled themselves proper again from the useless.
Halliday was outmuscled at Alnwick’s lengthy clearance permitting Richard Tait to burst down the suitable and his cross into the hazard space was brilliantly glanced house by Brophy’s toe throughout Craig Gordon and excessive into the far nook.
Moments later Brophy pressured a diving save from Gordon when he obtained his head to a Jones free kick.
It was frantic stuff and Craig Halkett nearly took the targets out the bottom when he thumped the underside of the bar from a Halliday nook.
The tempo by no means relented after the break both. Atkinson stung the palms of Alnwick earlier than Woodburn had a drive deflected vast.
On the different finish Gordon needed to look full of life to dam a Jones effort after the speedy winger obtained in behind Atkinson from an enormous Alnwick diagonal and the keeper was once more as much as the duty when he dived to the touch a Kiltie header around the put up.
However the second the massive travelling contingent had been ready for arrived within the 62nd minute as Ronan unleashed an unbelievable effort from 35 yards that left Gordon rooted.
Hearts solely half-cleared a Jones nook however there seemed to be little hazard when it fell to the Irishman vast on the suitable. That was till he let fly with an outrageous effort .
Neilson responded by throwing on McEneff for the ineffective Woodburn.
And extremely inside a minute the sub had restored the Jambos’ lead with solely his second contact. Atkinson did the legwork down the suitable and his cross was solely half-cleared permitting the Irish midfielder to divert into the online along with his knee.
It was completely breathless stuff.
Alnwick produced an excellent diving save to the touch a Stephen Kinglsey free kick around the put up as Hearts appeared for a clincher.
However Simms put the sensational tie to mattress within the eighty fifth minute when he tapped house McEneff’s cross.
3 speaking factors
Aaaaaand breathe!
What an absolute stoater of a cup tie. BBC struck the jackpot with this Tynecastle tear-up beneath the lights which proved to be completely absorbing from the second Baningime opened the scoring within the sixteenth minute. On the steadiness of play Hearts most likely deserved to progress rattling in a formidable 20 pictures over the 90 minutes. However the spirit of Stephen Robinson’s Saints shouldn't be underplayed as they battled bravely to get even and however for a few Craig Gordon saves might have been in entrance earlier than Aaron McEneff took over. Six targets, three of which had been crackers, and no finish of leisure made for a memorable night.
Macca magic
What an influence from Aaron McEneff. Stored in chilly storage for giant components of the season McEneff produced an ideal sub's show with a decisive objective and help to show the sport within the Jambos’ favour. With just one begin since Boxing Day he should now be severely knocking on the door for inclusion towards Livingston subsequent week. Are the celebs aligning for Heats? A decade in the past once they final gained this competitors they dumped St Mirren within the quarter last - having crushed Auchinleck two rounds earlier similar to this time. Robbie Neilson ’s males are actually two victories from lifting the silverware for a ninth time.
The Jambos had been lacking John Souttar, Cammy Devlin and Gary Mackay-Steven after final week’s bruising draw at Dundee United however they began - and completed quick - and should fancy themselves to go all the way in which. With Barrie McKay, Liam Boyce and Ellis Simms hitting prime gear on the prime finish of the park and Craig Gordon and Craig Halkett shorig issues up on the again, Neilson’s males will fancy themselves towards anyone in a one-off.
Buddie agony
Stephen Robinson was at pains to level out his facet had been underdogs going into this one. “All of the stress is off us” he claimed, referencing chapter one of many soccer thoughts video games almanac. It nearly labored as they fought again from two down and will have gone forward. They scored arguably the 2 greatest targets of the night and Robinsons was adamant they need to have had a spot kick within the first half. In the long run there was to be no repeat of their double journey to Hampden final season. However they made a proper fist of this.
Eamonn Brophy was a continuing menace to the Jambos’ rearguard whereas Jordan Jones and Greg Kiltie had been at all times a risk. However as soon as once more it was Connor Ronan who stole the present from a Paisley perspective with pretty much as good a strike as you will note all season.