Hearts U18s booked their spot in the final of the 2026 Scottish Youth Cup after eliminating holders Kilmarnock in a confident 2-0 win at Oriam.
Tommy North converted from the spot after a competitive opening, before Connor Dow's flicked effort in the second 45 wrapped up the scoring on a momentous night for David McNeil's men - who now look forward to a showdown with Queen's Park at the national stadium next month.
The Wee Jambos last Youth Cup final appearance came in 2022 under Steven Naismith, where the young Maroons were edged out 2-1 by Rangers at Hampden.
Following their derby drubbing of Hibs in the quarter-final, McNeil's men were handed a tricky tie with defending champions Kilmarnock, albeit on home turf at Oriam as both sides did battle for a spot at Hampden.
The opening stanza was a real fight as proceedings got underway; Hearts fashioning their first chance after 30 seconds as Charlie Sanders stung the palms of Killie's keeper after a probing ball forward from Alfie Osborne.
Early yellows were issued on both sides in a full-blooded competition, with Eaglesham going close for Killie before Connor Dow saw his low drive cleaved wide by a blue shirt after some quick feet from the youngster.
The half-hour mark brought Hearts' first goal after Tommy North, following up his performance against Hibs with another stormer up front, was crudely bundled over in the area.
North made no mistake from the spot, sending the 'keeper the wrong way with a confident penalty for the first goal of the night.
The Wee Jambos were in the ascendancy after that, and began to enjoy the lion's share of possession, but went in at the break with a slender lead after more chances at both end's of the pitch.
If there were any fears about a Killie comeback, they were quickly quashed, with Hearts netting their second and final goal of the evening almost straight out the gate for the second 45.
Connor Dow, another forward player who gave Kilmarnock no shortage of headaches all evening, was quickest to react in the midst of the goalmouth scramble at the Hearts corner - cooly flicking the ball into the back of net.
Dow would almost bag a brace after 68 minutes, skipping into the unguarded Killie box with just the goalie to beat, but couldn't quite steer his high effort on target.
Killie, while energetic, lacked a cutting edge, with Jack Lyon called on once to make a fine save from Cole Burke's effort from close range, spreading himself to divert a vicious snapshot that seemed destined for the net.
Indeed, North almost got a second of his own with just minutes left on the clock, expertly picking up Callen Robb's pass on the edge of the box before seeing his curling effort zip just past the post.
Hearts: Lyon, Kelly, Walker, Glasgow, Osborne, Banks (Robb 82'), McMeekin, Dow (Fraser 82'), Donkor (A. Wilson 75'), Sanders (Mathie 87'), North
Subs: Tas, Flockhart, A. Wilson, Fraser, Dickov, Robb, Mathie
