Falkirk ended Hearts’ Scottish Cup run at the first hurdle, winning 5-4 on penalties after Elton Kabangu missed the crucial spot-kick.
Hearts, the Scottish Premiership leaders, had been forced into extra time after substitute Ben Parkinson gave Falkirk the lead and Lawrence Shankland equalised with a penalty. Shankland had to leave injured during extra time and missed the shootout, leaving Hearts without one of their key takers.
All five Falkirk penalty takers scored, with Parkinson sealing the victory. He had been one of three half-time substitutes, scoring emphatically after Filip Lissah’s run on the right.
Earlier in the game, Tomas Bent Magnusson thought he had given Falkirk the lead, but a VAR review ruled out the goal for handball. Hearts’ debutant Islam Chesnokov was fouled in the box, giving Shankland the chance to level from the spot.
Extra time saw chances for both sides, including Calvin Miller’s powerful shot and Louie Marsh being denied by Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow. In the end, Falkirk held their nerve in the shootout to produce a shock win over the Premiership leaders.
