St Johnstone exploited Hearts' recent slump to earn a place in a Scottish League Cup final with Rangers next month.

The Perth outfit have only once before reached a domestic final and that was 29 years ago in the same competition.

The result was a remarkable victory for Saints' manager, Sandy Clark, only 51 days into his tenure at McDiarmid Park.

Hearts, despite their poor league form of late, had been favourites.

Nick Dasovic opened the scoring on minutes with a powerful half-volley after a corner was partially cleared.

Then Allan Preston doubled the lead on the stroke of half time when he hammered home a superb 25-yard angled drive into the corner of the net.

Hearts had their moments after the interval, but their fate was sealed in the 87th minute by George O'Boyle.