Hearts eventually saw off nine-man Hibernian in a chaotic Edinburgh derby to restore their cushion at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points after another frantic weekend in the title race.
Hibs – energised by the prospect of hindering their bitter rivals’ hopes – took the lead though through the departing Martin Boyle after seven minutes amid a febrile atmosphere at Easter Road.
But moments of madness from goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, who handled outside his box in the 14th minute, and Felix Passlack, who picked up a second yellow moments into the second half, put Hibs in a precarious position.
Hearts’ huffed and puffed, with substitute goalkeeper Jordan Smith producing save after save to frustrate them and Marc Leonard rattling the crossbar.
But Hibs’ brave resistance was eventually breached when a combination of Lawrence Shankland and Warren O’Hora bundled the ball over the line to equalise, with an own goal awarded against the Hibs’ centre-back.
Derek McInnes’ side pushed for a potentially precious winner, but the ball would not fall for them as a tortured away support started to lose faith.
But the goal would eventually come through Blair Spittal, the midfielder sliding the ball past Smith with the aid of a deflection with only a few minutes remaining.
Hearts’ lead over Celtic once again stretches to three points, while they go four clear of Rangers, who lost to Motherwell earlier in the day.
More to follow.
