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Page last updated at 21:38 GMT, Tuesday, 2 February 2010   E-mail this to a friend  Printable version  Mehmet (right) scored a superb goal for St Mirrren at Fir Park By Clive Lindsay  **Billy Mehmet's superb curling drive gave St Mirren victory over Hearts to take the Paisley side into the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.**The Buddies created the better of the first-half chances, but Mehmet and Michael Higdon were denied by Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello. Mehmet found the net after 51 minutes to give St Mirren a deserved lead. Hearts were unable to respond and had Kello to thank for preventing Andy Dorman from increasing the lead. St Mirren now await the winners of Wednesday's semi-final between St Johnstone and Rangers, who knocked the Paisley side out at the same stage of the Scottish Cup last season, after securing their first appearance in the League Cup final since 1955.  The Fir Park pitch was in poor condition for the semi-final It was the second time Hearts manager Jim Jefferies had suffered defeat to the Buddies in this season's competition, his Kilmarnock side taking an exit before last week's switch to Tynecastle. Jefferies, who steered Hearts to Scottish Cup glory in 1998, had rung the changes in an attempt to avoid a second League Cup semi-final defeat in three years. Andrew Driver had returned to the starting line-up along with Gordon Smith, while Lee Wallace and Ian Black had recovered from injury. Dawid Kucharski, David Obua and Gary Glen dropped out, while Rocky Visconte is now at Ayr on loan. Chris Innes and Dorman were back for St Mirren, with Steven Robb and Garry Brady dropping to the bench, as the Buddies lined up with five at the back and looked to play the ball long on a heavy pitch unsuited to passing football - and unworthy of a national cup semi-final. And the tactic brought them the best chances of the first half, with Mehmet forcing a save from a header after a Jack Ross cross. A Lee Mair header drifted wide from a corner by Dorman, who then set up Higdon. However, the striker got the ball caught underneath his feet and his weak effort was saved by Kello. The pitch was cutting up so badly that St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson came on to the field of play to replace some divots during a stoppage. Ross showed strength to hold off his marker before curling a shot a few feet wide from the edge of the box then a Mehmet shot found the side netting from 20 yards. Hearts' under-pressure defence suffered another blow after 25 minutes when Ismael Bouzid pulled up with an injury to be replaced with Kucharski. Even so, the Edinburgh side settled and created their only half chance of the half when Smith found goalkeeper Paul Gallacher blocking from close range as he tried to fire home Christian Nade's knockdown on the turn. A poor clearance from keeper Kello put Michael Higdon clear, but Zaliukas got back to intercept. However, the opening goal was not long in coming when Ross found Mehmet in the clear with a neat crossfield pass and the striker curled the ball home with great precision from 22 yards. Mehmet gave Dorman the chance to just about put the tie beyond Hearts minutes later by forcing a pass behind the maroon defence.  MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Rangers' injury problems However, Kello blocked with his chest the normally clinical midfielder's drive from just inside of the box. A low cross-cum-shot from Driver was cleared in front of goal by John Potter as a desperate Hearts threw everything forward. However, Hearts failed to test goalkeeper Gallacher as St Mirren ensured a visit to Hampden. Live text and stats Tuesday, 2 February 2010 CIS Cup Home Team Score Away Team Time Hearts 0-1 St Mirren FT (HT 0-0) Mehmet 51 Hearts 01 Kello 02 Thomson 03 Wallace yellow card 05 Ismael Bouzid (Kucharski 24) 06 Zaliukas 04 Jonsson 07 Smith (Glen 83) 08 Black yellow card (Suso Santana 55) 10 Stewart 11 Driver 09 Nade yellow card Substitutes 13 Ridgers, 12 Kucharski, 14 Suso Santana, 16 Mulrooney, 15 Glen St Mirren 01 Gallacher 03 Barron 04 Innes 05 Mair 06 Potter 02 Ross 07 Murray 08 Dorman (O'Donnell 88) 10 Thomson 09 Mehmet yellow card 11 Higdon (Dargo 75) Substitutes 20 Howard, 12 O'Donnell, 14 Brady, 15 Robb, 16 Dargo Ref: RichmondAtt: 9,170 HEARTS ST MIRREN Possession Hearts 55% St Mirren 45% Attempts on target Hearts 2 St Mirren 8 Attempts off target Hearts 4 St Mirren 7 Corners Hearts 5 St Mirren 5 Fouls Hearts 16 St Mirren 15 Final Result Full Time 90:00+4:23 The referee blows for the end of the match. 90:00+3:16 Direct free kick taken by Lee Mair. 90:00+3:16 Booking The referee shows Billy Mehmet a yellow card. 90:00+3:11 Booking Christian Nade is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour. 90:00+2:21 Suso Santana gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Billy Mehmet. 90:00+1:06 Eggert Jonsson produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses left. 88:56 Andrew Driver takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post. 87:22 Paul Gallacher takes the free kick. The referee blows for offside against Billy Mehmet. Dawid Kucharski takes the free kick. 87:22 Substitution Stephen O'Donnell on for Andy Dorman. 87:22 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Hugh Murray by Eggert Jonsson. 87:13 Jason Thomson crosses the ball, clearance by Chris Innes. 85:53 Craig Dargo concedes a free kick for a foul on Marius Zaliukas. Direct free kick taken by Marius Zaliukas. 85:37 The ball is crossed by Jason Thomson, Chris Innes makes a clearance. 85:05 The ball is swung over by Jason Thomson, clearance made by David Barron. 83:39 The ball is delivered by Christian Nade, save by Paul Gallacher. 82:35 Substitution Gordon Smith leaves the field to be replaced by Gary Glen. 79:44 Jack Ross produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses wide left of the target. 79:01 Hugh Murray fouled by Michael Stewart, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Paul Gallacher. 77:56 Shot by Christian Nade from deep inside the penalty area misses wide to the left of the target. 77:29 Billy Mehmet is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Jason Thomson. 76:52 Hugh Murray fouled by Christian Nade, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Innes takes the direct free kick. 75:33 Andrew Driver delivers the ball, Hugh Murray manages to make a clearance. 75:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jason Thomson by Craig Dargo. Jason Thomson takes the direct free kick. 73:42 Substitution Craig Dargo is brought on as a substitute for Michael Higdon. 73:42 Suso Santana takes a shot. Jack Ross gets a block in. Christian Nade produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target. 72:31 Michael Stewart challenges Michael Higdon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Paul Gallacher. 72:19 Suso Santana crosses the ball. 69:19 A cross is delivered by Steven Thomson, clearance by Christian Nade. Corner taken by Andy Dorman, Christian Nade manages to make a clearance. Effort from outside the box by David Barron goes wide right of the target. 68:37 Unfair challenge on Jack Ross by Lee Wallace results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Jack Ross from right wing, Jason Thomson manages to make a clearance. 67:56 Billy Mehmet is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Dawid Kucharski restarts play with the free kick. 66:23 Andy Dorman takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Michael Stewart manages to make a clearance. 64:31 Lee Wallace fouled by Steven Thomson, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Michael Stewart from right channel, John Potter makes a clearance. 60:56 Effort on goal by Billy Mehmet from just inside the area clears the bar. 60:42 Steven Thomson takes a shot. Blocked by Lee Wallace. 58:05 Michael Higdon is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Marian Kello. 57:00 Andy Dorman takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a save. 56:29 Corner taken by Andrew Driver, clearance by Michael Higdon. 55:17 The free kick is swung in right-footed by Jack Ross. 55:17 Booking Booking for Lee Wallace for unsporting behaviour. 54:17 Paul Gallacher takes the direct free kick. Steven Thomson fouled by Lee Wallace, the ref awards a free kick. 54:17 Substitution (Hearts) makes a substitution, with Suso Santana coming on for Ian Black. 54:17 Unfair challenge on Lee Mair by Gordon Smith results in a free kick. 54:04 Billy Mehmet takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a comfortable save. 52:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Christian Nade by Chris Innes. Michael Stewart crosses the ball, Christian Nade takes a shot. Save made by Paul Gallacher. 52:38 Michael Higdon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dawid Kucharski. Marian Kello takes the direct free kick. 50:59 Assist on the goal came from Andy Dorman. 50:59 GOAL - Billy Mehmet:Hearts 0 - 1 St Mirren Billy Mehmet finds the back of the net with a fantastic goal from outside the penalty area to the top right corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 St Mirren. 49:11 Billy Mehmet has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left. 48:28 Steven Thomson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ian Black. Michael Stewart takes the direct free kick. 47:55 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ian Black on David Barron. Paul Gallacher takes the free kick. 46:05 Lee Mair gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Christian Nade. Free kick taken by Ian Black. 45:41 Hugh Murray produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal. 45:26 A cross is delivered by David Barron, clearance by Marius Zaliukas. 45:01 The second half has started. Half Time 45:00+2:13 The whistle is blown to end the first half. 45:00+1:44 Christian Nade is ruled offside. Paul Gallacher takes the indirect free kick. 45:00+0:24 Direct free kick taken by Chris Innes. 45:00+0:24 Booking Ian Black is cautioned. 45:00+0:14 Ian Black challenges Michael Higdon unfairly and gives away a free kick. 44:44 Unfair challenge on Ian Black by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Lee Wallace takes the free kick. 44:04 The ball is swung over by Jason Thomson. 41:46 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Barron on Eggert Jonsson. Jason Thomson restarts play with the free kick. 41:22 The ball is sent over by Lee Wallace, comfortable save by Paul Gallacher. 40:18 The referee blows for offside. Paul Gallacher takes the indirect free kick. 38:47 Andy Dorman fouled by Jason Thomson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Hugh Murray. Corner taken right-footed by Andy Dorman to the near post, Eggert Jonsson manages to make a clearance. 38:06 The official flags Billy Mehmet offside. Marius Zaliukas takes the free kick. 32:58 Foul by Andy Dorman on Jason Thomson, free kick awarded. Michael Stewart restarts play with the free kick. 31:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Dorman by Jason Thomson. Free kick crossed right-footed by David Barron from right channel. 30:02 Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Stewart. Direct free kick taken by Michael Stewart. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ian Black by David Barron. Andrew Driver crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, save made by Paul Gallacher. 28:07 Marius Zaliukas handles the ball and concedes a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Jack Ross from right channel. Unfair challenge on Eggert Jonsson by Chris Innes results in a free kick. Marian Kello takes the free kick. 27:13 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Andrew Driver, Shot by Gordon Smith from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal. 26:35 The ball is crossed by Ian Black, Chris Innes makes a clearance. Andrew Driver takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Hugh Murray manages to make a clearance. 25:33 Billy Mehmet produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal. 23:12 Corner taken by Andy Dorman from the right by-line, save by Marian Kello. 23:12 Substitution Dawid Kucharski comes on in place of Ismael Bouzid. 23:12 Jack Ross takes a shot. Andrew Driver gets a block in. 18:50 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Barron by Eggert Jonsson. David Barron restarts play with the free kick. 17:41 Ian Black concedes a free kick for a foul on Hugh Murray. Direct free kick taken by Lee Mair. 15:45 Marius Zaliukas concedes a free kick for a foul on Billy Mehmet. Jack Ross shoots direct from the free kick. The offside flag is raised against Billy Mehmet. Free kick taken by Marian Kello. 14:30 Corner from right by-line taken by Andrew Driver. 13:12 Michael Higdon takes a shot. Save made by Marian Kello. 10:27 Corner from the right by-line taken by Andy Dorman, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Lee Mair misses to the right of the goal. 8:56 Michael Higdon gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ismael Bouzid. Ismael Bouzid restarts play with the free kick. Jason Thomson sends in a cross. 8:32 Michael Higdon takes a shot. Marian Kello makes a comfortable save. 6:38 Michael Higdon is caught offside. Ismael Bouzid takes the free kick. 3:39 Free kick awarded for a foul by Hugh Murray on Michael Stewart. Free kick taken by Michael Stewart. 1:12 Foul by Ian Black on Hugh Murray, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed right-footed by Lee Mair, save by Marian Kello. 0:12 Centre by Billy Mehmet, Lee Wallace manages to make a clearance. 0:00 The referee gets the game underway. Live text and data provided by The Press Association. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version Print Sponsor Co-op Cup results 2 Feb 2010 23:59 UK Hearts0-1St MirrenR see also MacPherson hails Mehmet and team 03 Feb 10 | St Mirren Goncalves out in cold at Hearts 02 Feb 10 |
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