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Hearts are two points from the Scottish Championship title after Liam Boyce scored a hat-trick in the thrashing of bottom club Alloa Athletic.

The Tynecastle side's return to the top flight at the first attempt will be confirmed on Saturday should Raith Rovers and Dundee both fail to win.

Euan Henderson, Aaron McEneff and Jamie Walker also netted as the hosts claimed a first victory in five matches.

Alloa stay seven points behind Arbroath and Morton having played a game more.

Peter Grant's side will be relegated on Saturday if Arbroath, Morton and Ayr United all win.

Liam Boyce's smart first-time finish and penalty - after Henderson's 60-yard run was halted by goalkeeper Neil Parry - had Hearts 2-0 ahead at half-time.

Henderson netted a terrific goal from Peter Haring's defence-splitting pass before Boyce blasted home the fourth early in the second half.

McEneff kept three defenders at bay to drill into the bottom corner for his first Hearts goal and substitute Walker capitalised on Parry's error to complete the rout.

Robbie Neilson's men now have a 14-point lead with three games to play, while closest challengers Raith and Dundee each have five matches left.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "We've taken a bit of flak, so it's good to get back to winning ways. There'll be a few pundits that aren't happy tonight so it's good to ram it down their throat.

"Internally we know what we've got here. I'm delighted to see John Souttar back. He did great. All in all, it was a great team performance."

Alloa manager Peter Grant: "We played a lot of good stuff but, yet again, you see the goals we lose are very poor. It's a sore one."