Hearts have been deducted two points and fined £10,000 for fielding an ineligible player against Cove Rangers in the Betfred Cup.

Craig Levein brought on Andrew Irving as a second half substitute at Balmoor Stadium, but the youngster hadn't been registered to play.

At a disciplinary hearing at Hampden on Monday, it was decided the Jam Tarts would be deducted two points in Group C.

The punishment leaves Levein's side three points adrift of Cowdenbeath and Inverness, with two games to go.

The Tynecastle outfit have also been fined £10,000 for the error, £8000 of which is suspended until the end of the 2019/2020 season.

Hearts drew their second match in Group C with Raith Rovers, but claimed a bonus point after winning on penalties.

Hearts host Cowdenbeath at Tynecastle on Tuesday evening in their third group fixture.