Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 4, Queen of the South 1.
HeartsHeart of Midlothian4Queen of SthQueen of the South1
Hearts remain the only unbeaten team in British league football after a hard-fought win over Queen of the South.
James Keatings scored a stunning opener for the hosts before his team-mate Prince Buaben missed a first-half penalty.
Iain Russell equalised from the spot for the Doonhamers in the second half.
However, goals by Danny Wilson, Buaben and Adam Eckersley secured the win that keeps Robbie Neilson's side nine points clear in the Championship.
With nearest challengers Rangers securing a narrow win over Cowdenbeath, Hearts' margin of victory also increased the gap in goal difference as well.
Neilson's men started on the front foot, with Callum Paterson's right-foot shot inches wide.
But the opening goal came just seconds after Queens themselves came close to taking the lead, with Chris Higgins a touch away from converting Ian McShane's free-kick.
Wilson then sent a 70-yard pass forward for Keatings to volley in a stunning strike from 20 yards out.
Hearts then spurned a glorious chance to double their advantage and Paterson went to ground following a tangle with Andy Dowie.
Referee Craig Charleston pointed to the spot but Buaben struck the outside of Zander Clark's right-hand post and the danger was cleared.
The league leaders continued to push forward and, when Jamie Walker dispossessed Mark Kerr and bore down on goa,l he looked likely to score. But his effort was cleared off the line by Mark Durnan.
Queens boss Jamie Fowler made a change at the break, with Derek Lyle replacing Kerr, and the visitors looked much more of a threat.
Their new approach paid off when Russell converted a spot-kick, awarded for a foul on McShane by Paterson.
However, Hearts responded to ensure another victory.
Wilson headed in from a corner to give Hearts the lead for a second time, then Buaben netted following a neat turn on the edge of the box.
And Eckersley rounded off the victory with a firm strike after Billy King's back-heel.
Line-ups
Hearts
Formation 4-4-2
- 1AlexanderBooked at 56mins
- 2PatersonBooked at 32mins
- 5Ozturk
- 4WilsonBooked at 58mins
- 44Eckersley
- 12King
- 14Pallardo Gonzalez
- 17Buaben
- 7WalkerSubstituted forMcGheeat 76'minutes
- 28BuchananSubstituted forRobinsonat 62'minutes
- 19KeatingsSubstituted forFlanaganat 87'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Robinson
- 9El Hassnaoui
- 15Gallacher
- 22McKay
- 30McGhee
- 34McKirdy
- 35Flanagan
Queen of Sth
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Clark
- 4DowieBooked at 24mins
- 5Durnan
- 6HigginsBooked at 45mins
- 3Holt
- 12Kidd
- 16DzierzawskiSubstituted forBairdat 71'minutes
- 18McShaneBooked at 82mins
- 8KerrSubstituted forLyleat 45'minutes
- 11RussellBooked at 45mins
- 10ReillySubstituted forCarmichaelat 80'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Baird
- 15Paton
- 17Carmichael
- 19Lyle
- 20Atkinson
- 22Hooper
- 26Fowler
- Referee:
- Craig Charleston
- Attendance:
- 15,459
Match Stats
Home TeamHeartsAway TeamQueen of Sth
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home6
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home17
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 4, Queen of the South 1.
Post update
Miguel Pallardó (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ian McShane (Queen of the South).
Post update
Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ian McShane (Queen of the South).
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Nathan Flanagan replaces James Keatings.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ian McShane (Queen of the South) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Booking
Ian McShane (Queen of the South) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Scott Robinson (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Dangerous play by Ian McShane (Queen of the South).
Post update
Foul by Scott Robinson (Heart of Midlothian).
Post update
Ian McShane (Queen of the South) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Queen of the South. Daniel Carmichael replaces Gavin Reilly.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 4, Queen of the South 1. Adam Eckersley (Heart of Midlothian) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Billy King.
Post update
Attempt missed. Billy King (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Jordan McGhee replaces Jamie Walker.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 3, Queen of the South 1. Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jamie Walker.
Post update
Derek Lyle (Queen of the South) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Post update
Foul by James Keatings (Heart of Midlothian).
