Hampden dream on as ice-cool Saints put the misery on Hearts

St Mirren smashed their spot-kicks hoodoo in ice-cool fashion to move a step closer to Hampden.

- Colin Paterson

The Buddies were perfect with their penalties in Saturday's round of 16 sun-soaked shootout to clinch a quarterfinal tie with Kilmarnock after Oisin McEntee cancelled out Alex Gogic's opener in 90 minutes.

Richard King, Marcus Fraser, Roland Idowu, Evan Mooney and Malik Dijksteel all converted at the SMISA Stadium after extra time couldn't split the sides.

The Hearts quartet of Lawrence Shankland, Stephen Kingsley, Alan Forrest and Beni Baningime also netted with the pressure well and truly on.

But they key moment came when Claudio Braga had his effort saved by Shamal George at 2-2, for Saints would go on to take a lead they would not relinquish.

It was the perfect way to mark manager Stephen Robinson's new contract.

And the black-and-white army will be hoping this is the latest chapter in a story culminating at the national stadium.

The Buddies made one change to the side held at home to Motherwell with Jonah Ayunga replacing Idowu in attack.

Hearts arrived in Paisley on a run of six of the best following a perfect winning start to the season.

Boss Derek McInnes made three changes to the team which beat Dundee United 3-2 in thrilling fashion at Tannadice.