Football: A strike in time for Foster

Hibernian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Heart of Midlothian. . . . . . . . . . . .2

HEART of Midlothian continued their domination of their Edinburgh rivals, Hibernian, to qualify for a Tennents Scottish Cup quarter-final encounter with Rangers at Ibrox.

The occasion provided a 21st celebration for Hearts - the number of consecutive successes they have recorded against Hibs over a five-year period - yet such was the second- half domination of the home side that when Wayne Foster struck the winning goal four minutes from time, Hibs must have felt they had been mugged.

A through ball from Gary Mackay reached the substitute, Foster, and he held off the challenge of David Beaumont before sweeping a low shot past Jim Leighton.

The celebrations of the Hearts supporters bore testament to their relief, as they had watched their side bettered for much of the game after taking the lead in two minutes. John Colquhoun crossed from the right, Tosh McKinlay took the ball to the touchline and his low cross was neatly tucked past Leighton at the near post by John Robertson.

Hibs responded three minutes from the interval when a Kevin McAllister pass found Michael O'Neill on the left and his cross was perfectly judged for Keith Wright, who headed crisply into the bottom corner of the net past the despairing dive of Henry Smith.

Seizing the initiative, Hibs almost took the lead a minute later. O'Neill threaded a pass to McAllister, whose diagonal shot hit the inside of the post before being cleared.

Afterwards, Foster - a former Bolton Wanderers player - claimed his winner was the most important goal he has ever scored, while Sandy Clark, the Hearts manager, reacted to the draw by saying: 'It will be very difficult at Ibrox, but I don't think Rangers will be too happy with the draw, either.'

Hibernian (4-3-3): Leighton; Miller, Farrell, Tweed, Beaumont; Lennon, Hamilton, O'Neill; Wright, Jackson (Evans, 73), McAllister. Substitute not used: Findlay.

Heart of Midlothian (4-4-2): Smith; Mackay, McLaren, Levein, Berry; Colquhoun, Leitch (Weir, 73), Miller, McKinlay; Robertson (Foster, 63), M Johnston.

Referee: L Mottram (Forth).

TENNENTS SCOTTISH CUP Quarter-final draw: Kilmarnock v Dundee; Airdrie v Dundee United or Motherwell; Rangers v Heart of Midlothian; St Johnstone or Stirling Albion v Aberdeen. (Ties to be played 12 March).