Hearts are still on course for a Scottish League and Cup double after beating First Division strugglers Ayr 4-1 in the Tennents Scottish Cup at Tynecastle.

Roddy Forsyth reports (2'17")

Hearts took the lead in the eighth minute when Colin Cameron released Paul Ritchie inside the penalty area and he thumped the ball home off the underside of the bar.

Austrian striker Thomas Flogel extended their lead eight minutes later with a glancing header from Gary Naysmith's superb cross.

Hearts looked to be in control but Ayr pulled a goal back in the 19th minute when Ian Ferguson powered in a header after Jim Dick had nodded a cross from Gordon Burns across the face of the area.

However they were reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute when Derek Anderson was sent off.

Neil McCann's cross in the 65th minute was headed back by Flogel. Hamilton was blocked by Ayr defender Andy Millen and he touched it back to Fulton who smashed it home.

Ayr visibly wilted after that and the final goal left Ayr's Icelandic keeper Kristjan Finbogason red-faced.

He seemed to have Gary Locke's 18-yard shot covered only for the ball to bobble up on the bumpy pitch.

The Ayr keeper fumbled it, then stood on the ball back-heeling it into Hamilton's path in front of goal, giving him the easiest of goals.

Falkirk are through to the semis for the second season running after beating St Johnstone 3-0 at Brockville.

They went ahead in the 18th minute, Andy Seaton starting and finishing a beautiful four-man move.

The Bairns scored a second on 34 minutes. David Hagen hit a freekick from the left and David Moss made no mistake from 12 yards.

Three minutes after the break Kevin McAllister played the ball to Marino Keith. He chested inside to Moss who drove home his second from the edge of the box.

The semi-finals line-up will be completed after Dundee play Celtic on Sunday, while Rangers and Dundee meet on Monday.
 

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