More woe for Cathro as Peterhead break Hearts
PLUMBER McALLISTER PUTS SPANNER IN THE WORKS:
EMBARRASSED Hearts handed the initiative to Dunfermline ahead of Saturday’s Group B decider after crashing to a shock Rory McAllister winner at Peterhead.
The League Two club grasped the result of the tournament so far and drew huge credit from a feisty and adventurous display against Ian Cathro’s meek side.
Defeat for Hearts left the Pars two points clear at the top of the table ahead of the trip to Tynecastle.
Jason Brown headed the Blue Toon in front after only six minutes before Kyle Lafferty’s fourth goal in three matches for the Gorgie club levelled matters 11 minutes later.
But McAllister — a qualified plumber by trade — pounced from the penalty spot just inside stoppage-time to heap huge pressure on Cathro and his team.
The Premiership side lacked inspiration throughout, although Rangers target Jamie Walker had struck the bar late on.
Cathro said the shock defeat was down to a lack of squad cohesion and claimed the setback was only ‘a disappointment in relation to the competition we are playing in’.
He added: ‘We did not start the game particularly well and that allowed Peterhead to stay motivated and keep fighting.
‘We wanted to win the game to put ourselves in a position to top the group and we have not done that.
‘We have a number of new players in the team and their relationships are building.
‘From the demands that we put on ourselves, winning against Dunfermline was always the target. Now to progress in the competition, it is a game we need to go and win.’ Blue Toon boss Jim McInally toasted a famous scalp — then reminded his shock troops to take it easy in the celebrations as they bid to defeat Elgin on Saturday and strengthen their bid to qualify for the knockout stages.
McInally said: ‘It was a terrific result and I thought we deserved it.
‘Ironically, we got the penalty late on when we were tired and hanging on for grim death. But for 70 minutes I felt we were the better side and we got the break in the end.
‘I’m so happy for the Blue heaven: Rory McAllister hails Jason Brown (above left) for his opener then celebrates his late winner (left) for Peterhead players who concentrated for the whole game, worked hard and passed well. ‘In the 5-1 defeat to Dunfermline we were ripped apart at times by their play but then we produced some good play ourselves. ‘Tonight we got the reward for that. ‘Amid the celebrations, I told the players: “Remember, we can still qualify”. ‘We beat Dundee in the equivalent fixture last year to qualify and we know if we can beat Elgin on Saturday, we have a chance of going through.’
Hearts made just one change from the side that won against East Fife at the weekend.
Krystian Nowak replaced John Souttar in defence as the Tynecastle side looked to preserve their winning start.
Peterhead, keen to make amends for that heavy loss at Dunfermline, started superbly.
They nearly went in front through Willie Gibson’s free-kick in the third minute.
Christophe Berra hauled down McAllister just outside the box and Gibson’s curling effort went inches wide of Jack Hamilton’s left-hand post.
Moments later, Jordan McGhee was forced to make a superb goal-line clearance to deny McAllister, who dinked the ball over Hamilton after being cleverly played in by Gibson.
Hearts looked nervy and they fell behind from the resulting corner in the sixth minute.
Gibson’s delivery found Jason Brown, the former Inverness youngster, and he bulleted a nearpost header beyond the diving Hamilton, who got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.
Cathro’s men finally started to settle and Isma Goncalves flashed a 12-yard shot wide after being picked out by Lafferty.
The visitors were back on level terms in the 17th minute, with Lafferty producing the riposte.
With a measured pass, Walker sent Michael Smith clear away down the right flank.
When the full-back’s cross was pushed away by keeper Greg Fleming, Lafferty was perfectly placed to strike the ball home with his left foot and continue an impressive start to his Hearts career.
Peterhead were still asking questions of their Premiership opponents, though, and Hamilton had to look lively to beat away a powerfully struck McAllister free-kick from distance in the 28th minute.
Hamilton’s opposite number Fleming then pulled off a smart stop to keep out Walker’s fizzing drive from outside the penalty area and, as half-time approached, Goncalves bent an 18-yard attempt just over the crossbar.
There was still good energy about part-timers Peterhead after the interval as Jamie Stevenson slid in to keep the ball alive before linking with Scott Brown, but the latter could not keep his shot down.
The home side were aiming to stay in contention and progress to the knock-out phase for the second season in a row.
Talisman McAllister wasted a good opportunity when he headed Gibson’s free-kick over in the 63rd minute.
Hearts, needing that victory to overhaul Dunfermline in top spot ahead of their meeting this weekend, replaced Prince Buaben with the attack-minded Arnaud Djoum midway through the second period.
But the Gorgie men struggled to break down a well-organised Peterhead back-three, although Goncalves, from Rafal Grzelak’s pass, had a sight at goal in the 70th minute only for Scott Ross to make a timely block.
Another excellent Ross interception denied Djoum in the 78th minute as McInally’s men continued to battle bravely.
Goncalves should have given Hearts the lead in the 81st minute when, after latching on to Hamilton’s kick-out, he barged his way past Simon Ferry.
But as he broke into the box, Goncalves delayed his shot and Brown was able to make a block.
The woodwork then denied Walker, who rose highest to meet a quickly taken corner. Stevenson then cleared the danger.
But Peterhead came up with a 90th-minute sensation after being awarded a penalty.
McAllister danced skilfully forward and pulled the ball back from the bye-line for substitute Jordon Brown, who was bundled over in the box by Djoum.
McAllister strode forward to send Hamilton the wrong way to blow the group wide open.