Airdrie shock Hearts

27th August 2008

Former Hearts midfielder Kenny Black came back to haunt his old side as First Division strugglers Airdrie United sprang a major surprise by knocking their hosts out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup on penalties.

Manager Black's 10-man Airdrie side won 4-3 on penalties to progress to the third round and inflict an embarrassing defeat on new Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo.

Former Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Stephen Robertson denied Lee Wallace and David Obua with saves in the shoot-out - the last from the Ugandan - with Darren Smith the only man to miss for Airdrie.

The Lanarkshire side put up a brave, defensive play to frustrate lacklustre Hearts throughout, but they went closest to winning the tie in normal time when Paul Di Giacomo struck the bar in the first half.

Hearts, for all their possession, lacked a cutting edge even after Airdrie lost Kevin McDonald to a red card in extra-time.

As Airdrie celebrated, boos echoed around the stadium at the finish as Hearts joined Edinburgh rivals Hibernian as unlikely early cup casualties.