Hearts are still on course for a League and Cup double after overcoming First Division strugglers Ayr in the Tennents Scottish Cup at Tynecastle today.

Ayr were forced to battle it out with ten men for 62 minutes after Derek Anderson was sent off.

It was a crucial blow for manager Gordon Dalziel as his side had pulled a goal back through Ian Ferguson in the 19th minute.

Hearts' superior fitness and class told in the end as they booked a semi-final Cup place.

The Premier Division high-fliers went into the game without groin-injury victim, French striker Stephane Adam.

He was replaced by Thomas Flogel and manager Jim Jefferies also recalled Stefano Salvatori for Grant Murray.

Ayr, who knocked out holders Kilmarnock in the last round, were boosted by the return of central defender Andy Millen after suspension.

Hearts are riding on the crest of a wave at the moment but almost went behind in the sixth minute.

Gordon Burns threaded the ball through to Jim Dick but keeper Gilles Rousset scrambled the ball away with his legs.

It broke to French striker Laurent Djaffo, who got a good strike on the ball, only to rattle the post.

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 for his first goal of the season.

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

Hearts looked on easy street 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 Burns across the face of the area.

However they were reduced to ten men in the 28th minute when Anderson tangled with Hamilton and aimed a kick at his face.

The Hearts striker needed treatment and that incident proved to be the turning point in the game.

Ayr were forced on the back foot for long periods and Fulton and Flogel both came close before they added a third.

Neil McCann's cross in the 65th minute was headed back by Flogel. Hamilton was blocked by Ayr defender 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 right in front of goal.

He will never score an easier goal to complete a good day's work for Hearts, who now go into the semi-final draw on Tuesday.

Teams

Hearts: Rousset, Locke, Naysmith, Weir, Salvatori (Quitongo 68), Ritchie, McCann (Callaghan 84), Fulton, Flogel, Cameron (Murie 78), Hamilton.

Booked: Naysmith.

Goals: Ritchie 9, Flogel 16, Fulton 65, Hamilton 82.

Ayr: Finnbogason, Robertson, Bowman, Millen, Traynor, Anderson, Dick, Agnew, Ferguson, Djaffo (Boner 13), Burns (Hogg 70).

Subs Not Used: Castilla.

Sent Off: Anderson (28).

Booked: Dick, Agnew, Ferguson.

Goals: Ferguson 19.

Att: 15,761

Ref: S Dougal (Glasgow).