The visitors coped better with the punishing gale force winds — so severe that it raised the question of a postponement.

Youngster Sam Nicholson and debutant Dutch striker Genero Zeefuik both grabbed a brace. Real Betis target Jamie Walker was also in the scoring, whilst Chris Kane marked his Dumbarton departure with a consolation effort for the hosts.

Dumbarton boss Ian Murray made only the one change to the side which lost out at Ibrox the week previous, Garry Fleming the man to make way for winger Mark Gilhaney.

Robbie Neilson also made one change to his team after their 1-1 draw in the Edinburgh derby last week.

Neilson welcomed former PSV Eindhoven forward Zeefuik into the fold at the expense of Argentine Miguel Pallardo following his midweek loan deal from FC Groningen.

Hearts started the better of the two sides and were the first to threaten.

Callum Paterson easily beat Scott Linton on the right wing before swinging in a cross but James Keatings’ header failed to find the target.

However Dumbarton came close to taking the lead moments later when Chris Kane was fouled by Danny Wilson just outside the area.

Scott Agnew stepped up to hit the free-kick but his curling strike went into the side netting.

Much to the delight of the large travelling Jambos contingent the visitors responded emphatically.

A long ball into the Dumbarton half wasn’t dealt with by Agnew, falling to Nicholson.

The midfielder took aim from all of 30 yards and his left footed strike went low and into the corner to put the title favourites 1-0 up.

Sons nearly served up the perfect response, once again from a set-piece.

A cross into the box caught out Neil Alexander and Andy Graham’s header looked goal bound — but dropped just wide of the empty net.

To Dumbarton’s credit they reacted well to going behind. Ian Murray’s side won a series of corners but they could’ve been behind by a larger margin after 15 minutes when Nicholson played through Zeefuik but Danny Rogers was alert and got out well to block the chance.

Sons then had two glorious chances to score.

Mark Gilhaney crossed for Chris Turner who had a free header in the box, but his effort hit the crossbar and bounced clear of any danger.

Gilhaney himself then went through on goal moments later. His attempt to round Alexander ended up with the ball at the feet of Archie Campbell and the keeper out of his goal.

Sons fans were now out of their seats in anticipation as Campbell’s strike looked destined to level proceedings — only for their hopes to be dashed by the covering Alim Ozturk who cleared the ball off of the line.

Dumbarton were made to pay for their missed chances. After 25 minutes Zeefuik did well to control a high ball before playing through Jamie Walker in on goal.

The ever-impressive Walker took the ball in his stride and cooly finished beyond Rogers, who despite getting a touch couldn’t keep the ball out.

Andy Graham and Scott Linton will be disappointed with how they dealt with the situation with Graham allowing Zeefuik to control the ball and turn, while Linton had a chance to intercept the pass to Walker but couldn’t get enough on it to clear.

Extending their lead seemed to spur the Jambos on as they went in the search of more.

Mark Gilhaney was not discouraged though and after putting pressure on Nicholson, he won the ball in the area but Alexander palmed away his shot.

Hearts should have gone in at the break 3-0 up.

Keating played through Walker, but his strike his the side netting as he aimed at the near post.

The Jambos started the second half with a purpose about their play.

A 20-yard drive from James Keatings rattled the crossbar, while Paterson threatened down the right.

Dumbarton changed to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the second half, Kane playing on the right, Gilhaney on the left with Campbell in the centre.

However the change didn’t have the desired impact as Hearts quickly hit their third.

Nicholson fed Walker on the left and his cut back was tapped in by Zeefuik for a debut goal.

It was poor play by Dumbarton who afforded Hearts too much time on Sons wing.

This was the start of a 10 minute blitz from Hearts during which they would score two more.

Five minutes later a Paterson cross went straight to Lee Mair who completely missed his clearance, allowing Nicholson to make it 4-0.

The match was quickly turning into Dumbarton’s worst at the Rock this season as another Walker cross was converted by Zeefuik for 5-0.

Chris Kane pulled a goal back for Sons in 63 minutes with a well taken strike from the right hand side of the box. The goal was celebrated with more vigour in the away end than the home, as the score now matched that of Hearts famous Scottish Cup final victory over Hibs.

It was only a brief respite to the Hearts onslaught as the away side quickly went up the pitch, Walker was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Scott Linton.

This provided Zeefuik with an opportunity to claim the match ball — but Rogers saved down to his right before blocking the rebound effort from the striker.

Dumbarton to their credit kept going against a team who are a class apart from not just them but the rest of the division.

The visitors coped better with the punishing gale force winds — so severe that it raised the question of a postponement.

Youngster Sam Nicholson and debutant Dutch striker Genero Zeefuik both grabbed a brace. Real Betis target Jamie Walker was also in the scoring, whilst Chris Kane marked his Dumbarton departure with a consolation effort for the hosts.

Dumbarton boss Ian Murray made only the one change to the side which lost out at Ibrox the week previous, Garry Fleming the man to make way for winger Mark Gilhaney.

Robbie Neilson also made one change to his team after their 1-1 draw in the Edinburgh derby last week.

Neilson welcomed former PSV Eindhoven forward Zeefuik into the fold at the expense of Argentine Miguel Pallardo following his midweek loan deal from FC Groningen.

Hearts started the better of the two sides and were the first to threaten.

Callum Paterson easily beat Scott Linton on the right wing before swinging in a cross but James Keatings’ header failed to find the target.

However Dumbarton came close to taking the lead moments later when Chris Kane was fouled by Danny Wilson just outside the area.

Scott Agnew stepped up to hit the free-kick but his curling strike went into the side netting.

Much to the delight of the large travelling Jambos contingent the visitors responded emphatically.

A long ball into the Dumbarton half wasn’t dealt with by Agnew, falling to Nicholson.

The midfielder took aim from all of 30 yards and his left footed strike went low and into the corner to put the title favourites 1-0 up.

Sons nearly served up the perfect response, once again from a set-piece.

A cross into the box caught out Neil Alexander and Andy Graham’s header looked goal bound — but dropped just wide of the empty net.

To Dumbarton’s credit they reacted well to going behind. Ian Murray’s side won a series of corners but they could’ve been behind by a larger margin after 15 minutes when Nicholson played through Zeefuik but Danny Rogers was alert and got out well to block the chance.

Sons then had two glorious chances to score.

Mark Gilhaney crossed for Chris Turner who had a free header in the box, but his effort hit the crossbar and bounced clear of any danger.

Gilhaney himself then went through on goal moments later. His attempt to round Alexander ended up with the ball at the feet of Archie Campbell and the keeper out of his goal.

Sons fans were now out of their seats in anticipation as Campbell’s strike looked destined to level proceedings — only for their hopes to be dashed by the covering Alim Ozturk who cleared the ball off of the line.

Dumbarton were made to pay for their missed chances. After 25 minutes Zeefuik did well to control a high ball before playing through Jamie Walker in on goal.

The ever-impressive Walker took the ball in his stride and cooly finished beyond Rogers, who despite getting a touch couldn’t keep the ball out.

Andy Graham and Scott Linton will be disappointed with how they dealt with the situation with Graham allowing Zeefuik to control the ball and turn, while Linton had a chance to intercept the pass to Walker but couldn’t get enough on it to clear.

Extending their lead seemed to spur the Jambos on as they went in the search of more.

Mark Gilhaney was not discouraged though and after putting pressure on Nicholson, he won the ball in the area but Alexander palmed away his shot.

Hearts should have gone in at the break 3-0 up.

Keating played through Walker, but his strike his the side netting as he aimed at the near post.

The Jambos started the second half with a purpose about their play.

A 20-yard drive from James Keatings rattled the crossbar, while Paterson threatened down the right.

Dumbarton changed to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the second half, Kane playing on the right, Gilhaney on the left with Campbell in the centre.

However the change didn’t have the desired impact as Hearts quickly hit their third.

Nicholson fed Walker on the left and his cut back was tapped in by Zeefuik for a debut goal.

It was poor play by Dumbarton who afforded Hearts too much time on Sons wing.

This was the start of a 10 minute blitz from Hearts during which they would score two more.

Five minutes later a Paterson cross went straight to Lee Mair who completely missed his clearance, allowing Nicholson to make it 4-0.

The match was quickly turning into Dumbarton’s worst at the Rock this season as another Walker cross was converted by Zeefuik for 5-0.

Chris Kane pulled a goal back for Sons in 63 minutes with a well taken strike from the right hand side of the box. The goal was celebrated with more vigour in the away end than the home, as the score now matched that of Hearts famous Scottish Cup final victory over Hibs.

It was only a brief respite to the Hearts onslaught as the away side quickly went up the pitch, Walker was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Scott Linton.

This provided Zeefuik with an opportunity to claim the match ball — but Rogers saved down to his right before blocking the rebound effort from the striker.

Dumbarton to their credit kept going against a team who are a class apart from not just them but the rest of the division.