Islam Chesnokov scored the only goal of the game as Hearts edged Falkirk 1-0 at Tynecastle to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to five points.
The Kazakhstan international's well-taken strike on the stroke of half-time, his first for the Edinburgh club, was enough to see off a stubborn challenge from the visitors, who knocked Hearts out of the Scottish Cup on penalties on their last visit to Edinburgh.
As a result, Derek McInnes' side have moved five points ahead of second-placed Rangers and six clear of Celtic in third, with the Old Firm duo both in action on Sunday, albeit Hearts having played a game more the former and two more than the champions.
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