BetFred Cup: St Johnstone and Aberdeen reach quarter-finals.
Wednesday 10 August 2016 22:44, UK
St Johnstone netted twice in the last 15 minutes to see off Hearts 3-2 and reach the last eight of the BetFred Cup.
Danny Swanson scored twice for Saints, including the equaliser on 75, before Brad McKay headed the winner.
Swanson had also opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he located the top left hand corner of the net from around 30 yards after collecting Liam Craig's free-kick.
Two minutes before the break the visitors to Perth were level as Callum Paterson rose highest to head Igor Rossi's cross.
And right on half-time the Edinburgh side took the lead from the penalty spot, after Patterson was fouled by Tam Scobbie and Jamie Walker fired Hearts ahead.
And that was the way it remained until the hosts were awarded a penalty of their own. Swanson was brought down by Alim Ozturk and the former made it 2-2.
The winner arrived on 80 when Swanson's corner was flicked on by Steven MacLean and McKay headed St Johnstone into the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen did just enough to beat Scottish Championship club Ayr United 2-1 at Somerset Park.
All three goals came before half-time, with the Dons taking a third minute lead courtesy of an own goal.
Darryl Meggat was the unlucky player, turning a Wes Burns cross into his own net. And it was 2-0 after half-an-hour as Niall McGinn volleyed home Shay Logan's cross.
The hosts reduced the arrears four minutes before the break when Alan Forest netted from close range.
In truth, Aberdeen should have added further goals, with Adam Rooney hitting a post and Wes Burns finding the crossbar twice.
And after beating Ayr in only their second meeting for 31 years, Dons were presented with a home quarter-final tie against St Johnstone.
