Reserve Coach Paul Sheerin spoke to RedTV after the young Dons impressive win over Hearts on Monday afternoon:

“For me it was the best performance of the season so far.

“I have said that to the players in the dressing room after the game. When you compare both teams, and with our team littered with U18s, for them to perform the way they did was so pleasing.

“I saw little signs of it last week in terms of passing the ball, moving, being brave in possession; I thought to a certain extent it was there last week but this week was a different test with strength of their team.

“I thought our attitude was spot on for the first 20-25 minutes and get a two goal lead. At 2-1 we got a little bit mixed up and I thought during that spell we could have gone long. With this age group you ask can they manage the game better and mix it up a bit better?

“I thought in the second half we did that. We got into our shape quickly which made it difficult for them to break us down. We really frustrated them and looked positive on the counter-attack and were able to go and create chances. So really pleased.

“I understand there will be ups and downs and we have had that over the season with the group so I will not get too carried away but will enjoy it today.

“I do want them to be brave and I do want them to pass the ball and you saw that with the third goal, the play was excellent. We then get a fourth and had a really good spell. They got a lift when it was 4-2 up until the sending off but as I say the management of the game was so good for such a young group.

Paul also previewed the SPFL Reserve Cup semi-final, which will see his side face the same opposition in Edinburgh next Monday.

“No two games are ever the same.

“It is more a mentality thing ahead of next week’s semi-final. We need to get stuck into them and make sure they realise the way the game went today will not happen every week. It will be a totally different game, there is no doubt about that. Hearts will have a point to prove and will want to put us in our place.

“We have to be ready for that and hopefully we can apply ourselves the same way which should be a given. I am under no illusion, they will put in a different performance but hopefully we can get the win.”