Oisin McEntee left it late to score a priceless winner for 10-man Hearts in the race for the Scottish Premiership title, beating Dundee 1-0 in a scruffy encounter at Tynecastle.
Marc Leonard's free-kick was attacked by McEntee at the far post and he planted a header beyond Jon McCracken to secure a precious three points in a game of few clear-cut opportunities.
Having squandered two of their three big chances and with limited productivity in the final third, Hearts might consider themselves fortunate to escape with maximum spoils. Rangers' and Celtic's chance to respond falls later this weekend.
Hearts' lead at the top, temporarily at least, extends to five points, having won their last four home games by the same 1-0 scoreline. It's the first time the Edinburgh side have won four on the bounce at Tynecastle without conceding since 2016.
Frankie Kent was sent off in stoppage-time for a second bookable offence, tripping Charlie Reilly in full flow, but that was the only blot on an otherwise perfect afternoon for Derek McInnes, as this unlikely title charge shows no signs of slowing - they are guaranteed to stay top entering the last international break of the campaign.
Dundee, meanwhile, have their five-game unbeaten run brought to an unceremonious end despite frustrating Hearts for large parts, denying chances for Claudio Braga and Pierre Landry Kabore with a defiant defensive display. It was a performance that deserved more than its reward, punished for switching off from a set-piece.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes:
"I actually think the belief that I've got in the team is even more than it's ever been, because I know what's coming behind it. I know what's coming back for Livingston.
"I've got Tomas Magnusson, Harry Milne and Craig Halkett back, and I should have Stuart Findlay and Stephen Kingsley back.
"I've got my captain Shankland back now for another couple of weeks training, I've got Cammy Devlin back, I've got Beni Baningime back. We will get stronger, and we're going to need that strength.
"We've been tested of late but despite all that, we're going to be top of the league in April. We're huge underdogs, but for us still to be where we are, churning out victories, as we did again, there's a lot to be said for 1-0 victories.
"We'd like it to be easier, because I feel the same anxiety as the fans. I want to win a game 2-0 and enjoy the game a wee bit more, but I'm not going to make any apologies for it - I enjoy winning."
Dundee boss Steven Pressley:
"I'm really disappointed because it was a game where there was very few opportunities. I don't think there was a great deal in the game. It was an aggressive game, a lot of tackling, a lot of commitment from both sets of players.
"We didn't control the game in the manner that I would have liked.
"Both teams were aggressive against the ball and when you come here and you play in that manner, of course, to lose a goal from a moment like that is disappointing.
"I think we just failed in our final moments. We had some really good counter-attack moments where I felt the final pass, the final bit of quality, we could have created a number of really good opportunities, but that was the frustration."
