Falkirk surprised Premier League side Hearts and reached the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.

Second-half goals from Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait eliminated last season’s semi-finalists and continued Hearts’ winless start to the season.

Steven Naismith’s guests created a wealth of chances in the early stages and not even the substitution of Lawrence Shankland in the second half could force the Championship newcomers to score.

John McGlynn’s side, which saw Ryan Shanley sent off shortly before the end, will find out their quarter-final opponents in the draw on Sunday.

Liam Boyce shot over and Kenneth Vargas twice had dangerous chances in quick succession after a brilliant start from Hearts. Vargas hit the crossbar and forced Nicky Hogarth into a save.

Gary Oliver forced Craig Gordon to step in. The experienced Hearts goalkeeper, making his first appearance of the season, left his goal to block the shot.

Yutaro Oda then marched towards Hogarth’s goal and the goalkeeper was able to block with his foot, which he later did again when Blair Spittal volleyed.

Falkirk immediately took advantage of Spittal’s chance and Ross MacIver failed in a one-on-one with Gordon.

This pattern of play continued in the second half, with Hearts having a lot of possession in the attacking zone and the Bairns keen to counterattack.

And it was during one of these attacks that Ross scored, converting Keelan Adams’s low ball into a convincing finish.

The goal took the wind out of Hearts’ sails and they were no longer as dangerous in the final half hour.

MacIver was thwarted by another brilliant save from Gordon as Falkirk threatened to score a second goal.

And the decision was made when Gordon was pressed by Alfredo Agyeman as he passed out of defence, allowing Calvin Miller to win the ball and cross it to Tait for a finish.