A controversial penalty helped Hearts into the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-finals as Michael Stewart completed their comeback against Dunfermline.
Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo had warned against a repeat of last season's home defeat by Dunfermline's Irn-Bru First Division rivals Airdrie, but they trailed to Graham Bayne's goal at half-time.
However, Suso Santana headed an equaliser despite the visitors' appeals over an earlier infringement, and Hearts moved in front in the 74th minute after Brian Winter adjudged Neil McGregor to have fouled David Obua.
McGregor claimed his challenge was a fair shoulder charge but Stewart sent Hearts through.
Hearts had struggled to penetrate the Pars defence after losing Andrew Driver to injury before the game, with Gary Glen coming in to support defender Ismael Bouzid up front.
Dunfermline had lost their last three league matches without scoring a goal but t! hey started confidently and Hearts centre-back Jose Goncalves got away with a strong penalty-box barge on Nicky Phinn.
Greg Ross ran on to Scott Muirhead's long throw but he failed to get enough purchase on his volley and Janos Balogh saved.
But Hearts were behind in the 15th minute when Bayne ran on to Ross' reverse pass and fired a shot that Balogh let slip through his body.
Hearts continued to struggle with Glen seeing little of the ball and Bouzid unable to hold it up.
Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre's 4-2-3-1 formation was getting the better of Laszlo's tactics, while central midfielders Graeme Holmes and Alex Burke were impressing with and without the ball. However Hearts did create some first-half chances from set-pieces.
Match details
Hearts: Balogh, Zaliukas, Bouzid, Goncalves, Craig Thomson, Santana, Michael Stewart, Palazuelos, W! allace (Black 45), Glen (Smith 74), Obua.
Subs No! t Used:< /strong> MacDonald, Kucharski, Jason Thomson.
Booked: Santana. Goals: Glen 56, Michael Stewart 73 pen.
Dunfermline: Fleming, Woods (Cardle 57), McGregor, Dowie, Muirhead, Holmes, Ross (McCann 82), Phinn (Kirk 75), Burke, Gibson, Bayne.
Subs Not Used: Higgins, Paterson.
Booked: Gibson. Goal: Bayne 15.
Att: 6,126
Referee: B Winter (Scotland).
