Hearts pause protests for now as Alex Lowry kills off Kilmarnock to seal Hampden spot - 3 talking points

Hacked off Hearts fans protested that their club was being "run by clowns," but they're now laughing all the way to Hampden after the late, late show at Rugby Park.

Alex Lowry's stoppage time strike at a sodden Rugby Park sunk Kilmarnock's last four hopes and booked a Viaplay Cup semi-final spot after Brad Lyons had cancelled out Jorge Grant's opener An open first half didn't produce much in terms of clear cut chances, probably because that openness came from both sides losing possession, the other trying to break them losing it themselves. Matty Kennedy was denied by Zander Clark after a deflection and that was about it, until Hearts took the lead.

Some composure broke out at last as the midfielder, who was making his first start of the campaign, was teed up by a lovely lay off from Lawrence Shankland. Grant knew exactly what he wanted to do and executed it perfectly, deftly curling a low strike beyond Will Dennis and into the bottom corner.

Former Hibs man Kyle Magennis was inches away from drawing Killie level after the break. He rifled in a low strike with his right foot that had Zander Clark at full stretch, but it spun agonisingly wide of the far post for the hosts.

Hearts then came even closer. Killie couldn't clear their lines from a corner the ball fell to Stephen Kingsley on the edge of the area. He guided an effort towards the top corner but saw it come back off the crossbar. Kyle Vassell then forced a good stop from Clark at the other end.

Another goal felt like it was coming and it arrived for Killie. Lyons rose highest at the back post to meet a cross from the left and head the hosts level.

It looked like we'd need an extra half-an-hour to try and decide this one, until Lowry intervened. It was a case of