Callum Paterson scored a double as relegated Hearts sealed their fourth Edinburgh derby win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road.
The Jambos' win means they have mustered the same amount of points as their rivals, with only the 15-point deduction handed down to Hearts at the beginning of the season for entering administration separating the Scottish capital sides.
Despite their lowly status, Hearts started the match as favourites against a Hibs side without a win in 10 matches. However, the home side started brightly with Jason Cummings coming close with a header before two goals in four minutes turned the game on its head.
Paterson headed home his first from a corner in the 37th minute and four minutes later the Hibs defence showed they hadn't learnt their lesson when they allowed Paterson to again nod past Ben Williams to double the Jambos' advantage.
Jordon Forster, who wrongly had a goal chopped off in the last Edinburgh derby, pulled one back with a powerful header in the 69th minute before substitute James Collins blew a late chance to equalise with a fresh air kick eight yards out and was then denied by a superb Jamie MacDonald save in stoppage time.
Defeat means Hibs are just one point above Kilmarnock, who currently occupy the dreaded relegation play-off position and would be bottom of the table if it weren't for Hearts points punishment.
At Easter Road, the home side began to apply some early pressure and MacDonald was relieved as he saw a Jason Cummings looping header bounce just wide after he connected with Liam Craig's cross.
Hibs had a penalty claim in the 30th minute when MacDonald pushed Cummings to the ground as he tried to get on the end of a corner but his pleas were ignored.
Cummings came close minutes later when his shot on the turn from 25-yards took a wicked deflection and MacDonald had to scramble across his goal to make a diving save to keep it out.
However, it was Hearts who took the lead against the run of play in the 37th minute. Paterson rose at the back post to meet a corner and send a header bouncing into the turf and over the head of Craig who was guarding the near post.
Paterson got his second in the 41st minute with an almost carbon copy goal. McHattie whipped in an inviting in-swinging free-kick from the right which Paterson attacked at the back post and headed down past Williams.
Hibs started the second half positively and Sam Harris saw his shot deflected into the side netting before Thomson saw his fierce low drive pushed round the post by MacDonald.
The Easter Road side hadn't scored for over seven hours but deservedly pulled one back in the 69th minute through Forster. Ryan McGivern's excellent delivery from the right picked out Forster who powered a header past MacDonald.
Collins blew a glorious chance to equalise for Hibs in the 85th minute when a mistake in the Hearts defence saw the ball break to him seven yards out but the Irish striker took a fresh air swipe at it and the danger was cleared.
MacDonald then made a fabulous save six minutes into stoppage time to deny Collins and seal Hearts fourth derby victory.
Source: AFP
