St Mirren edge past Hearts on penalties as Aberdeen ease to victory

St Mirren held their nerve to beat Hearts 5-4 on penalties and reach the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

Alex Gogic’s acrobatic volley had put the home side ahead after 34 minutes.

Hearts – who won both of their opening William Hill Premiership games – improved after the break and were eventually level in the 78th minute when Oisin McEntee headed in from a corner.

Neither side was able to find a winner during extra-time, so the tie was settled in a shootout.

After Hearts forward Claudio Braga saw his effort saved by Shamal George, Malik Dijksteel converted the decisive spot-kick to send the Buddies through to the last eight.

Aberdeen got their first win of the new season with a 3-0 victory at Morton.

The Dons – beaten in both of their opening Premiership matches by Hearts and then Celtic – took the lead when Sivert Heltne Nilsen headed in from a corner after 32 minutes.

Australia striker Kusini Yengi then swiftly converted from close range to open his account for the Dons and midfielder Leighton Clarkson added a third after being sent clear with 11 minutes left.

Lukas Fadinger’s goal in extra-time secured Motherwell a 1-0 win at St Johnstone after what had been a tense encounter of few clear chances.

Partick beat Championship rivals Ayr 2-0 at Firhill.

Thistle – who are bottom of the early table with a point from their opening two league games – went in front after 41 minutes through Daniel O’Reilly’s looping header.

Logan Chalmers then fired in from 20 yards just before half-time to make sure of a place in the quarter-final draw.