THERE will be an Edinburgh derby after all this season but boy did Hearts make heavy weather of setting it up. Requiring a replay after conceding a late equaliser in their original fourth round William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers, they again laboured to see off the Championship side, eventually squeezing through after winning and converting two extra-time penalties and adding a late garnish via a Bjorn Johnsen tap-in as Raith belatedly wilted. Neil Lennon, the Hibernian manager, took it all in from his vantage point in the main stand ahead of what will likely be a crackling derby at Tynecastle on either February 11 or 12.

The result will give some succour to Hearts’ beleaguered manager Ian Cathro, only a second victory (albeit achieved over 120 minutes rather than 90) in his seven matches in charge and one that will give him breathing space ahead of the return to league action this weekend when Hearts travel to Celtic Park.

Raith, in contrast, remain winless since October but manager Gary Locke will likely take a large dollop of satisfaction with the way his side played over the two ties, even if they ultimately exit with nothing but an enhanced reputation. They more than contributed to what was an uncomfortable evening for Hearts right until they scored their fourth in the second period of extra time.

Perhaps still in a state of shock given how late Raith had equalised in the original tie, they looked disjointed and sluggish for spells and their eagers visitors were not slow to take advantage.

Making the most of their last-gasp lifeline secured three days earlier, Raith set off like a team possessed, pressing a wobbly Hearts defence high up the pitch and looking to feed off the errors that followed. A new-look Hearts backline – three of whom were making their home debuts - did not take long to concede and it was no more than Raith deserved given their positive start.

There had been an early warning when Declan McManus thudded in a shot after four minutes that Jack Hamilton had kept out unconvincingly like a fisherman guddling a trout but Hearts didn’t heed it. Ten minutes later and they were behind. Malaury Martin sloppily conceded possession and Bobby Barr just ran and ran and ran. Soon he was within shooting range at the edge of the box, the deflection off Aaron Hughes’ outstretched leg only giving it extra spin and trajectory to carry it over Hamilton and into the top corner.

Another mistake – this time from Raith’s Jordan Thompson – would let Hearts back in to the contest, however. Thompson was caught in possession by the lurking Johnsen who evaded Barr’s lunge before scooting right up the park. He could have shot himself but selflessly laid it off for Rory Currie and the 18 year-old bravely finished knowing Cuthbert was advancing to clatter into him and duly did. On his first Hearts start, the striker had collared his first Hearts goal.

That seemed to pave the way for Hearts to go on and demonstrate their supremacy against a down-on-their-luck Raith side, although they still looked vulnerable whenever the Championship side occasionally countered.

The best of the chances, though, fell to Hearts. Andraz Struna uncorked a shot that spun over the crossbar after twanging against Ross Callachan, Currie couldn’t get sufficient purchase on a header, while Sam Nicholson – making his first appearance since September – ought to have done better than nod a Martin free kick over from close range. Hearts’ rising anxiety was not helped by referee John Beaton’s decision not to award a penalty after Walker’s surging run had been abruptly halted by Jean-Yves M’Voto just inside the box.

The chances continued to mount up and Johnsen had two late stabs at settling it within the 90 minutes, his downwards header well parried by Cuthbert, his piercing drive scraping against the outside of the far post.

It was perhaps almost inevitable, then, that having failed to score in the last hour or so of regulation time that the sides would conjure up three goals in the opening period of extra-time.

Hearts’ two goals both came from the penalty spot after Walker was twice fouled by Kyle Benedictus, the first earning the defender a booking. With Walker off getting treatment after the first foul, Martin stepped up to stroke home his first Hearts goal. It was a different story at the second award in the final minute of the first period, Walker fit enough to convert his 11th goal of the season.

In between those penalties, Raith had drawn level. It stemmed from a John Souttar mistake, with Ryan Hardie capitalising, trading passes with Mark Stewart before finishing well. They needed another goal to take it to penalties but Johnsen’s tap-in, after Conor Sammon’s shot had been saved, sealed it in Hearts’ favour. Hibs await next.