Hearts book place in League Cup semi-final with late winner at Rugby Park

Hearts have booked their place in the League Cup semi-final with a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Alex Lowry scored a late winner after a goal from Brad Lyons ruled out Jorge Grant’s first half opener on Tuesday night.

They will now be in Wednesday night’s draw to find out their opponents in the last four with the first piece of silverware of the season well within their sights.

Steven Naismith’s side travelled to Ayrshire on Tuesday night for the first of the four quarterfinal matches with a place at Hampden at stake.

Grant scored to put the visitors ahead five minutes before half-time and they took that lead into break as they looked to secure a date at the National Stadium.

Cammy Devlin, who recently signed a contract extension at Tynecastle, was replaced by Peter Haring for the second-half in the first change of the match.

David Watson had a chance to equalise after the break but his shot was wide of the post but Killie never had to wait much longer for the equaliser when Lyons made it 1-1 with 22 minutes left on the clock.

But just as it looked as if the game was heading for extra-time Rangers loanee Lowry popped up to win the game for Hearts in the 92nd minute.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who had been on the pitch for less than two minutes, took a pass from fellow sub Liam Boyce before rolling his shot into the far corner of the net.