Nine-man Hearts exited the Scottish Cup following today's semi-final meeting with Aberdeen at Hampden Park.
Pape Gueye had Aberdeen in front, before Lawrence Shankland pulled one back. A red card just before the end of the first half for Michael Steinwender gave the Jambos an uphill battle.
Despite this, Hearts put in a gutsy display, and were undone minutes before the conclusion of extra time following a further red card for Cammy Devlin, and Oday Dabbagh's late winner.
Neil Critchley made three tweaks to the side that faced Motherwell at Fir Park last week; James Wilson returning from league suspension alongside Lawrence Shankland - whilst Cammy Devlin returned to the midfield.
The men in maroon almost drew first blood after three minutes; Jorge Grant's corner was poorly dealt with by Aberdeen, allowing Jamie McCart to send a short range strike inches wide of the post.
After a period of Hearts controlling possession, Aberdeen took the lead after 18 minutes. Whipping in a delivery from the corner, Pape Gueye headed the ball in off the crossbar, and after a VAR check for offside, the goal stood. Topi Keskinen was next to try his luck, picking up Gueye's flicked header before dragging his low effort across the face of goal.
Despite a spell of pressure from the Dons, Hearts came roaring back after 28 minutes. A searching cross found Lawrence Shankland unmarked at the back post with acres of space. Taking the ball down, he drilled a superb effort through the legs of Dimitar Mitov.
It was an entertaining end to the half, with few chances to report, but there was a twist in the tale just minutes before the conclusion of the opening 45. Topi Keskinen found his way through on goal, with Michael Steinwender bringing him down 35-yards from goal.
This prompted a straight red from John Beaton in the middle, reducing Hearts to ten for the second half.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Aberdeen
The pack was shuffled following the red card, with James Wilson and Elton Kabangu making way for Craig Halkett and Frankie Kent.
Hearts kept at it, with Frankie Kent's header across goal finding Shankland on the edge of the area - his dipping effort going wide after 53 minutes.
Moments later, Aberdeen gave the Jambos a fright after Ante Palversa's ball forward picked out Gueye between the lines, the Dons forward seeing his glancing header sneak just past Gordon's post.
74 minutes saw Leighton Clarkson go for goal from distance, with his ranged effort flashing across the face of goal as the men in maroon clung on.
Into the final ten and more heroic defending was required, Jamie McCart popping out of leftfield to divert away a dangerous header from Shayden Morris.
Chances came Hearts' way too though, with Jorge Grant's corner resulting in a dodgy Aberdeen clearance that landed favorably to James Penrice on the edge of the box - his ranged strike going just wide.
There was no late goals though, and Hearts' destiny would be decided in extra time.
Extra Time: Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Aberdeen
As expected, there was much huffing and puffing, with the standout moment of the first period of extra time coming from Craig Gordon, making a sensational stop from Dabbagh from close range - throwing himself down to smother his effort.
Hearts were then reduced to nine after Cammy Devlin picked up a second booking on 116 minutes.
With just minutes left in extra time, Aberdeen got the winner. Dante Polvara's effort was palmed into the path of Dabbagh, who reacted quickest to stab the ball home and seal the win for Aberdeen.
Hearts: Gordon, Baningime (Spittal 120'), Grant (Kartum 86'), Shankland (Musa 113'), Devlin, Steinwender, Kabangu (Kent 45'), Wilson (Halkett 45'), Penrice, McCart, Forrester (Kingsley 77)
Subs: Fulton, Kent, Kingsley, Halkett, Spittal, Forrest, Kartum, Musa
Aberdeen: Mitov, Shinnie, Knoester, Nisbet, Clarkson, Gueye (Okkels 81'), Palaversa (McGrath 69'), Morris (Polvara 90'), Dorrington (Milne 107'), Jensen (Boyd 117'), Keskinen (Dabbagh 81')
Subs: Doohan, Devlin, McGrath, Polvara, Dabbagh, Okkels, Milne, Boyd
