Highlights: Spartans 1-2 HeartsHearts scored in stoppage-time to squeeze past Spartans and into the Scottish Cup fifth round after James Craigen’s stunning leveller for the League 2 side looked like forcing extra time.Frankie Kent’s header ultimately proved the difference after Craigen’s remarkable volley had brought the hosts level.Craigen cushioned his fine strike past Craig Gordon – ending his 13-month injury absence in the visiting goal – just after the hour to cancel out Kenneth Vargas’ early header.However, Kent’s 93rd-minute goal edged eight-time winners Hearts into Sunday’s draw for the last 16.Watch: Spartans v Hearts as it happenedFollow all the latest Hearts newsMuch of the preamble to Hearts’ first competitive match of the season centred around Lawrence Shankland’s future, with the 28-year-old offered a new contract amid reported interest from Rangers among others.The forward sat out Friday’s training and remained unavailable for duty as Hearts made the short journey across Edinburgh.Hearts took little time to settle at Ainslie Park and Jorge Grant’s inswinging cross from the left set up Vargas for a fine headed finish.Gordon’s long-awaited return would not be a quiet one. The 41-year-old was forced to tip over a fierce long-range drive from former Hibernian left-back Callum Booth before dealing with Ayrton Sonkur’s close-range header.Watch: Spartans’ Craigen’s fabulous volley against HeartsJamie Dishington could not keep his effort down after setting himself outside the Hearts box and Vargas drew a fine close-range save from keeper Blair Carswell moments later.The impressive Carswell foiled Vargas again early in the second period, the… Click below to read the full story from BBC Sport
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Hearts spared blushes with late win over Spartans
