Hearts stunned by Alloa as Wasps defeat Jambos for FIRST time with 1-0 triumph in Betfred Cup

Alloa Athletic sprung the shock of the day by beating Hearts for the first time in their history to reach the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.
Alloa's Alan Trouten makes it 1-0 from the penalty spot during the Betfred Cup match against Hearts.Alloa's Alan Trouten makes it 1-0 from the penalty spot during the Betfred Cup match against Hearts.
Alloa's Alan Trouten makes it 1-0 from the penalty spot during the Betfred Cup match against Hearts.

Alan Trouten’s penalty-kick in the second period of extra-time settled this tie, taking the part-time Clackmannanshire outfit into the last eight for only the second time.

Hearts controlled large periods of the match, but could not break a resilient home defence at the Indodrill Stadium.

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Manager Robbie Neilson and goalkeeper Craig Gordon protested to referee Gavin Duncan briefly at the end about the disputed penalty award.

Jamie Walker was penalised for fouling the Alloa substitute Robert Thomson but Hearts maintained there was no infringement. Their arguments were in vain.

These two Scottish Championship teams met four days ago in the league at Tynecastle Park, when the home team won 3-0. Hearts didn’t produce enough quality for a repeat despite long spells of pressure.

A back spasm forced Hearts defender Craig Halkett tp pull out of the team prior to kick-off. Mihai Popescu was handed a starting slot beside Christophe Berra in an untried central defensive pairing.

Aidy White took up position in an attacking wide-left role for the visitors after impressing there as a substitute in midweek. Meanwhile, the Alloa manager Peter Grant reinstated striker Liam Buchanan up front.

Hearts were denied twice in quick succession in the opening minutes by the Alloa goalkeeper Neil Parry. He emerged as Olly Lee bore down on goal, saved smartly from the Englishman and then pushed Liam Boyce’s follow-up for a corner.

Parry soon collected another attempt from Lee which deflected off the home midfielder Steven Hetherington. Hearts’ build-up play had to be patient but, as expected, they looked sharper than their part-time opponents on the synthetic surface.

Most of the first period saw them roaming inside opposition territory probing for a breakthrough. However, six minutes from the break Craig Gordon was at full stretch to tip Kevin Cawley’s deep cross for a corner.

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It was a reminder that Alloa were very much in this tie with the scoreline goalless.

The same pattern of play continued into the second period with Hearts in command but unable to score. Forwards Craig Wighton and Steven Naismith were introduced as Neilson sought more penetration up front.

Alloa served a rare notice of their threat on 73 minutes when Scott Taggart crossed for Buchanan. His header forced a good save low down from Gordon in what was the Clackmannanshire side’s best opportunity.

A largely unremarkable 90 minutes ended to signal 30 minutes of extra-time. Still Hearts pressed, still Alloa resisted.

Another replacement, Jordan Roberts, saw a deep cross his the frame of Parry’s goal in the first period, then came the penalty incident after the break.

After Walker was judged to have fouled Thomson inside the area, Trouten calmly stroked the ball low into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

That was enough to end Hearts’ involvement in the Betfred Cup and send the delirious home side through.

Alloa (4-2-3-1): Parry; Taggart, Graham, Jamieson, Dick; Grant, Hetherington; Cawley, Trouten, Murray (Connelly 94); Buchanan (Thomson 101).

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Hearts (4-1-4-1): Gordon; M Smith, Popescu, Berra, Kingsley; Haring (Henderson 112); Walker, Lee (Irving 112), Halliday (Roberts 81), White (Wighton 59); Boyce (Naismith 62).

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