Betfred Cup: Hearts out but Hibs progress to last 16

Hearts crashed out of the Betfred Cup on penalties to pile pressure on head coach Ian Cathro after a 2-2 draw against Championship outfit Dunfermline.

The Pars looked to be heading for a shock triumph when goals from Joe Cardle and Declan McManus cancelled out Don Cowie's opener, however Isma Goncalves levelled in the closing stages.

But Dunfermline rubbed salt in the would by winning the subsequent penalty shootout 3-1 and claiming the bonus point to top Group B, prompting jeers from the home fans.

Cathro headed down the tunnel amid a barrage of abuse from a group of angry supporters who had assembled near the front of the Wheatfield Stand.

To exacerbate Cathro's woes, Jamie Walker was left out of the Hearts starting line-up amid suggestions that persistent speculation regarding his future has affected the winger's performances.

The head coach said: "Jamie has been dealing with a remarkable degree of speculation and attention. Initially he dealt with it well.

"However, he's struggled to maintain his performance and focus levels with us.

"He has to understand that there are levels which have to be matched on a daily basis. If you can't do that, you won't have a place in the squad or the team."

Cathro, with eight wins in 30 competitive games as Hearts boss, added about the fans' angry reaction: "Believe me, I've been I angrier stadiums before. I can understand why the fans are annoyed. It was unacceptable and we're accountable.

"But I don't feel any more pressure now than I have done after any other game. Just because someone shouts loudly, or there are four times as many journalists here than usual, it doesn't make me feel any different.

"You want my reaction to the anger in the stands? I don't have one. My work, my focus and my responsibility is to to support the players and develop them. I don't waste time reacting to other things."

Hearts' Edinburgh rivals Hibernian booked their place in the knockout stages with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Alloa.

A first-half opener from youngster Fraser Murray and a second-half double from Simon Murray, who now has seven in the competition following the group stage, ensured the Easter Road outfit progressed as winners in Group D. 

They finished top of the group after Ross County only drew 0-0 at Arbroath.

Lee Erwin grabbed a debut goal as Kilmarnock also reached the last 16 with a 3-0 win over Dumbarton, while Partick's Christie Elliot struck late on to give his side a narrow 1-0 win over Stranraer and progression as one of the four best runners-up.

Another Premiership side, Hamilton, went through as group winners after a 3-0 home win over Stenhousemuir, while Motherwell, who had already won their group, claimed a late 1-0 win over Berwick thanks to Elliot Frear's goal.

However, it came at a cost with left-back Steven Hammell suffering a suspected torn hamstring.

The draw for the last 16 will take place on Sunday following the one remaining group match between Dundee and Dundee United, the winner of which will top Group C. A draw would take both through (United would win the group) with even the loser set to progress, barring a heavy loss.

The last-16 qualifiers are:

Byes (as European qualifiers)

Celtic*
Aberdeen*
Rangers*
St Johnstone*

Group winners

Falkirk*
Dunfermline
Dundee+/Dundee United+
Hibernian
Ayr*
Motherwell*
Hamilton
Livingston+

Best group runners-up

Partick
Ross County
Kilmarnock
Dundee/Dundee United/Peterhead

Teams with an asterisk will be seeded in the draw; teams with a plus could be seeded in the draw  - the winners of Dundee v Dundee United will be seeded but if the game is drawn Livingston will be in the seeded pot

Related links

Sky Bet's odds for Dundee v Dundee United
Saturday's Betfred Cup results in full