Heart of Midlothian progressed to the semi-final of the Viaplay Cup after a late show at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock to win 2-1. They had led at half-time through Jorge Grant's fantastic effort from the edge of the box. Killie responded well at half-time and pushed for an equaliser which arrived when Brad Lyons headed in Matty Kennedy's cross from the left. Extra-time was in sight but in stoppage time substitute Alex Lowry picked up the ball in the box and passed it into the far corner of the net.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith on Alex Lowry, Jorge Grant and best player

NAISMITH GETS REACTION

No Hearts fan needs reminded of the team's proclivity to start games slowly. However, they bucked that trend at Rugby Park. They were brighter from the first whistle. The ball was moved quicker. The team had more intensity out of possession and they got men forward.

There was an early cross from Stephen Kingsley to the back post which ended up with Lawrence Shankland unable to get a clean contact. Kenneth Vargas, Jorge Grant and Shankland would later combine through the centre and then Kingsely and Alan Forrest down the left. There seemed to be a much better attacking structure with players committed forward. 

There were hairy moments at the back with Kyle Vassell targeting Kye Rowles, while Matty Kennedy skipped into the box and had a shot repelled by Zander Clark. 

Yet the more likely team to score were the visitors and they did just that through Grant. Again, there were clear signs of more aggression and positivity. Rowles stepped up into the opposing half to win the ball, drove forward and fed Shankland who teed it up for Grant to slot into the bottom corner. And the half ended with men being committed into the box. 

PLAYERS STEP UP

Ahead of the game midfielder Cammy Devlin spoke of the responsibility of the players to step up and deliver in a game what is being worked on in training. There were a number of improved or good performances amongst the Hearts starting XI. Two individuals who stood out were Jorge Grant and Calem Nieuwenhof. It was the former's first start since the loss to Hibs in Naismith's first match in charge. He was pivotal at the advanced point of the midfield. There was a desire to get on the ball and play forward. Without possession he supported Lawrence Shankland by getting close to him or making runs down the side or in behind. Behind him Nieuwenhof offered qualities which have been lacking in the Hearts midfield. You get the sense he is growing into his role and, more assuredly, he ventured forward with the ball or went looking to get on the ball or assist a team-mate under pressure. Out of possession there was a tenacity to win it back. Two encouraging performances in an area of the pitch which has caused issues.

RIGHT UNTIL THE END

Just when you thought it was heading to another 30 minutes of action, Alex Lowry, not long after coming on as a substitute, squeezed a shot into the bottom corner to send the away end wild and Hearts into the semi-final of the League Cup. This isn't a Hearts team which has been playing with lots of confidence and there would have been many worrying that Kilmarnock's equaliser from the head of Brad Lyons in a typical fashion - cross from wide - would lead to a winning goal from the home side. But a change to provide more height in the back line gave Hearts a more solid platform. Made them more robust. There have not been many results, wins dug out by the team. But this is one where they stuck at it, battled and showed some grit and, when it mattered, composure and quality. It could prove to be a huge goal for the team and perhaps that launchpad for the season.

HEARTS FANS SEND MESSAGE

The day was building up to the unfurling of the banner pre-match at Rugby Park. Graffiti had appeared outside Tynecastle Park calling for the board to be sacked. Banners then appeared in Gorgie in the afternoon hung from a bridge in Gorgie. The messages were about the board and chairwoman Ann Budge. Come kick off the banner unfurled read:

"Funded by fans, ran by clowns. We deserve better."

It is unlikely to be missed by the likes of Budge and others with the club figure in attendance in Ayrshire. 

The frustration of the support was explored earlier in the week. The disastrous form this year. Just two wins from the first six league games and failing to score in four. Rather than look at Steven Naismith and the management team the fans looked to those above to express their frustration. It is not a message everyone in the club's support will agree with but it has garnered plenty of support.

It is not out of line to say the fans have deserved better considering what they do on a weekly and monthly basis, whether it is backing the club from the stands or financially. Take Tuesday night for example. From the moment the banner was taken down as the game kicked off, those in the away end backed the team in a passionate and positive manner throughout.

THE PLASTIC

Steven Naismith spoke about the Rugby Park pitch ahead of the game with Derek McInnes noting it was the first time he had heard a manager bring it up prior to a game. Naismith has a point. And he's not the only one. This is not a ban-plastic pitches campaign but a nod to those who do feel they influence games. When the rain was falling the initial feeling was 'good, it means the surface won't be sticky'. But it went the other way, it turned out to be slippy. There is the aesthetic argument but that can be left for another day.

McInnes made a good point that it is essentially a quirk of the Scottish game you need to deal with. Not all surfaces will be perfect.

VASSELL IS FUN

In Kyle Vassell, Kilmarnock have a player that is perfectly equipped for Scottish football. When the club signed him half way through last season there was not too much expectation, certainly not externally. Killie was his 20th club, arriving after a somewhat successful stint in the second tier of US football. The club's head of recruitment Russ Richardson, however, played a blinder. He is now the club's focal point and captain. Strong, mobile, aggressive and adept at link up play. He is fun to watch as he batters around the pitch, running vertically and laterally, a nightmare to play against no doubt. He is the type of forward most teams in Scotland require and one Hearts currently don't possess.