���˿���

Hearts maintained their push towards an instant return to the Scottish Premiership with a narrow victory over promotion rivals Dunfermline.

Substitute Jamie Walker notched the winning goal late on.

That was after both goalkeepers made fine saves to deny Dunfermline's Ryan Dow and and Hearts' Craig Halkett.

The win extends Hearts' lead at the top of the Championship to 12 points, with Dunfermline falling to third behind Raith Rovers on goal difference.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "It was a tough game against a very good team. For us it was all about getting the win today. Yes we have played better but we battled away.

"Craig [Gordon] made some great saves as did their goalkeeper as well and thankfully we had Walker with his quality. I thought he was sensational when he came on.

"There are a lot of tough games and we have spoken about that in the dressing room after the game. Yes it was a good result but arguably we have two of the toughest places to go. Ayr United away on Friday night in the middle of winter then Queen of the South on the Astroturf the following Friday."