Hearts squeeze past Spartans as glimpse of life without Lawrence Shankland makes for scary viewing - 3 talking points

They left it late, but Hearts are into the Scottish Cup fifth round after a last-gasp 2-1 win over Spartans.

An early goal for the favourites can often set the tone and make sure an upset is avoided, and it looked like that was going to happen here. Jorge Grant's deep cross was met really well by Kenneth Vargas, whose accurately placed header left boyhood Jambo and big Craig Gordon fan Blair Carswell with no chance. Speaking of Gordon, he showed there's nothing wrong with his agility despite 13 months out. The 40-year-old sprung up to tip a volley from former Hibs kid Callum Booth over the crossbar after 20 minutes.

As far as clear cut chances, there wasn't much more to it. Carswell made a decent first half save after Gordon's acrobatics. but the pattern was wave after wave of Hearts possession, with Spartans camped on the edge of their own box, unable to get out. It was as comfortable as 1-0 lead as you'll see, and that was perhaps the problem for Steven Naismith's side.

A rare foray forward resulted in a corner, and a moment of real quality got Spartans level from nowhere. The ball dropped for Craigen at the edge of the box and he produced a wonderful side foot volley over Gordon and into the net to peg a coasting Hearts back in style. VAR may have ruled it out for offside, but it wasn't in use so no excuse for Hearts and nothing away from Craigen.

Grant should have put Hears back in front from close range at the back post. After sending a free-kick narrowly wide minutes earlier, he was denied by Carswell as the Spartans keeper smothered. He kept out Dexter Lembikisia in stoppage time at the near post and it looked like he'd forced extra-time. But Kent rose highest from the resulting corner to plant a header into the