Leaders Hearts got back to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership title race, overcoming Falkirk with a narrow victory at Tynecastle thanks to Islam Chesnokov’s first goal for the club.
Derek McInnes’ side responded to last weekend’s defeat at Ibrox by moving five points clear at the summit, with Rangers and Celtic both playing on Sunday.
Falkirk flew out of the traps but Hearts eventually gathered themselves and took the lead on the brink of half-time as Chesnokov controlled in the box to toepoke beyond Scott Bain.
In the second half, Bain was tested more frequently. Claudio Braga had a snapshot well saved by the Falkirk goalkeeper, who also denied Alexandros Kyziridis.
The visitors also had Filip Lissah to thank for keeping the deficit to just one. Kyziridis tried to lay the ball on a plate for Tomas Magnusson, but somehow Lissah got a touch to deny the Icelandic midfielder.
The only negative for McInnes is his side have picked up yet more injuries. Beni Baningime was ruled out on the morning of the game, Ageu pulled out in the warm-up and Stuart Findlay limped off in the second half.
Add those three to Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Stephen Kingsley, and the title-chasing squad starts to look a little thin.
