Hearts 2-0 Dunfermline

Victory for Hearts leaves Craig Levein's side still in the chase for Europe, while Dunfermline's dismal capital record never looked like changing.

Jimmy Calderwood threw men forward in a 2-4-4 formation after Kevin McKenna gave Hearts the lead just before the hour, but a nightmare three minutes for Dunfermline's best player, Scott Thomson, sealed his side's fate.

First, his penalty, awarded for Alan Maybury's shove on Sean Kilgannon, was well saved by Antti Niemi.

Then he sold himself on the halfway line in a challenge with Ricardo Fuller, who released Andy Kirk for his first of the season.

Levein was delighted with Niemi. He said: 'He's the man, isn't he? said the manager.'

Last season, Hearts missed out on a UEFA Cup place when Kilmarnock defeated a shadow Celtic side just before the Scottish Cup Final.

Levein was asked if Martin ONeill might rest players against Hearts next week. He responded: 'That's his prerogative, and I think I said that last year as well. But I'll be fielding the best team I can.'

Hearts improved when Stevie Fulton replaced Stephane Mahe, who never got up again after a 50-50 challenge with Andrius Skerla.

Quite how Fulton covers the park so well is a mystery. At times, his balletic dribbling defied his bulk, which was perhaps exaggerated slightly by him being in direct opposition to the slender, but ineffectual, Barry Nicholson.

Thomas Flogel had an excellent match alongside Fuller up front, linking the play and causing lots of problems for Dunfermline.

By contrast, Gus MacPherson had an awful afternoon. He missed Dunfermline's best chance of the match late in the first half, blasting a half-volley over from 15 yards when he had time to do better.

He looked ponderous in defence and his distribution was woeful. His needless two-footed lunge on Fulton just before the hour led to the opener.

Fulton's free-kick was judged perfectly by McKenna and his flick across Marco Ruitenbeek found the net.

Dunfermline had their best spell after MacPherson was replaced by Kilgannon and might have salvaged a point if Thomson's penalty had found the net.