St Mirren U18s booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Youth Cup after a comprehensive victory away to Hearts.
Evan Mooney was the hat-trick hero as he netted all three goals at Ainslie Park to see the young Saints progress to the last eight of the competition.
The U18s started brightly, pressing Hearts well and putting numerous dangerous balls into the box with no takers, while there was a strong shout for a penalty after a handball. It would be 34 minutes before the Hearts goalkeeper was forced into a real save with Lewis Marshall's strike from 20 yards pushed away by the stopper.
The young Saints would hit the front in the final minute of normal time at the end of the half. Good pressing saw Marshall the quickest on to a loose ball and he moved forward before slipping the ball to Mooney. The forward took a touch and sent a low finish across the goalkeeper to break the deadlock.
Billy Hutchison was close to doubling the lead before the break when he got his head on the end of a Marshall corner but saw his effort blocked on the line.
The Buddies continued that first-half form after the restart with Lyle Hunter sending a shot just wide after Mooney's cross was headed out only as far as the midfielder.
Saints doubled their advantage just before the hour mark when Mooney struck again. The forward met a low cross from Thomas Falconer, took a brilliant touch to take the Hearts defender out of the game and create space before firing beyond the Hearts goalkeeper.
Mooney completed his hat-trick just five minutes later to secure Saints' place in the quarter-final. A nice bit of play saw the forward play in Matthew Turner. His strike was saved but Mooney was quickly on hand to send the follow-up into the net.
Hearts were reduced to 10 men when a poor challenge on Innes Clark saw Owen Muirhead shown a straight red card. Clark left the field on crutches to be replaced by Owen Carey.
Saints had opportunities to add to their lead with the pick of the bunch following for Theo McCormick after he was found by Mooney but his effort was saved by the Hearts goalkeeper at point blank range.
The young Saints go marching on!
Full-Time: Hearts U18s 0-3 St Mirren U18s
St Mirren: Tamosevicius, Penman, Clark (Carey 69), McEvoy (c), Hutchison, Hunter (Barr 86), McCormick, Turner, Mooney (Douglas 86), Marshall (Farquhar 79), Falconer
Subs Not Used: Kelly, Stoddart, Lavery
