Hearts clinched a dramatic victory with two goals in the final minutes, defeating Motherwell 3-1 and keeping their dreams of a first league title in 66 years alive on Saturday.
The Jambos have maintained a narrow lead in a tight contest for the Scottish Premiership despite trailing early in the second half at Tynecastle.
Defending champions Celtic remain three points adrift after securing a 1-0 victory over St. Mirren, while Rangers find themselves four points off the summit but with a match in hand against Falkirk on Sunday.
Hearts have been at the forefront for most of the season as they aim to become the first team outside of Celtic and Rangers to clinch the title in 41 years.
Despite a recent slip in form resulting in a four-match winless stretch on the road, their fortress at Tynecastle has allowed them to maintain their lead as they enter the final five fixtures of the season, where the league splits in two and the top six teams compete for the championship.
Emmanuel Longelo’s goal just five minutes into the second half had Motherwell poised to shatter Hearts’ unbeaten home record this season, but an overhead kick from Claudio Braga equalised on the hour mark.
Captain Lawrence Shankland kept his composure from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh fouled Landry Kabore, who then capped off the scoring in stoppage time.
Celtic are still in contention for their 14th title in 15 years, despite a run of lacklustre performances.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted the decisive goal as Martin O’Neill’s side narrowly overcame relegation-threatened St. Mirren.
With home matches against both Rangers and Hearts in the post-split fixtures, Celtic know that winning all their remaining five games will almost guarantee they retain their title.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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