Jermain Defoe paved the way for Rangers’s seventh successive victory over Hearts, the striker’s early goal helping set up a 3-1 win over their Scottish Premiership rivals.
Defoe ensured the Gers’ dominance would tell when he applied a typically-clinical finish to a superb through ball from Glen Kamara after 15 minutes at Tynecastle.
Ryan Jack doubled their lead in the 36th minute and Nikola Katic made it 3-0 after half-time before Steven MacLean netted Hearts’ consolation.
Defoe, who has bagged seven goals in 13 appearances in the Scottish top flight, was replaced by Kyle Lafferty seven minutes from time.
Mikael Ndjoli was an unused substitute in Kilmarnock’s stormy 1-0 defeat by Aberdeen at Rugby Park in the Scottish Premiership.
The Dons leapfrogged Killie into third place thanks to Scott McKenna’s goal as the hosts ended the game with eight men following the dismissals of Kirk Broadfoot, Stuart Findlay and Rory McKenzie.
Goalkeeper Jordan Holmes looked on from the bench as St Mirren moved six points clear of bottom-placed Dundee thanks to a 3-1 win at Livingston, while Keelan O’Connell was an unused substitute in Greenock Morton’s 2-0 win at Falkirk in the Scottish Championship.
Corey Jordan was on target for Eastbourne Borough in their emphatic 6-0 win over National South rivals Dartford at Priory Lane.
Jordan shrugged off his marker and finished from close range to make it 4-0 as Sports ended a 14-match winless run.
Charlie Walker hit a hat-trick, including a penalty, while Mike West and Kane Wills also scored as Sports moved four points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.
Jake Scrimshaw set up an enthralling Dorset derby after bagging Poole Town’s winner in their 2-1 victory over Southern Premier South rivals Metropolitan Police at Imber Court.
The Dolphins host championship-chasing neighbours Weymouth on Bank Holiday Monday with much at stake for both clubs at Black Gold Stadium.
Weymouth, who are managed by Cherries under-21 assistant coach Mark Molesley, could clinch the title, while Poole will be hoping to secure a place in the play-offs.
Scrimshaw was named in the Poole starting line-up after returning from a two-week layoff having sustained a nasty facial injury when he netted their winner at Farnborough.
The prolific striker notched his 17th goal of the season for the club midway through the second half before he was replaced by James Constable four minutes from time.
James Boote came on as an 82nd-minute replacement for Marvin Brooks, who had opened the scoring for Poole, while Tom Hanfrey was an unused substitute.
Sam Sherring played the full 90 minutes for Weymouth as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Chesham United at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
England C international Bradley Clayton drew first blood for the Generals before Calvin Brooks popped up with an equaliser for the Terras three minutes from time.
Elsewhere, Brad Smith and Seattle Sounders will have to wait until midnight tonight for their game against LA FC.
The Sounders remain unbeaten in their opening five MLS games this season, with four wins and one draw.
