Hearts leave it late to sink nine-man Hibernian and capitalise on Rangers loss

Hearts boosted their Scottish Premiership title hopes after Blair Spittal’s 86th-minute winner earned a dramatic derby victory over nine-man Hibernian, putting Derek McInnes’ side three points clear after Rangers lost at home to Motherwell.

Hibs took an early lead at Easter Road, with Martin Boyle striking after just seven minutes – but seven minutes later, the game changed as goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger was sent off for handling the ball outside his penalty area.

The hosts held on to their lead until half-time, but went down to nine men when Felix Passlack was shown a second yellow card moments after the restart. Hearts levelled in the 65th minute when Lawrence Shankland bundled the ball in off Hibs defender Warren O’Hora.

Hearts piled on the pressure but did not find the breakthrough until four minutes from time, as Spittal swept the ball inside the near post from Sabah Kerjota’s cut-back, sparking wild celebrations in the away end behind the goal.

Earlier, Emmanuel Longelo’s late deflected strike earned Motherwell a dramatic 3-2 win at Ibrox to dent Rangers’ title hopes.

Midfielder Lukas Fadinger fired the superior Steelmen ahead in the 16th minute, and Longelo added a second in the 25th minute, firing home Tom Sparrow’s cross as the hosts were cut open again, to the fury of the Rangers faithful.

Danny Röhl changed personnel and tactics at the interval and Youssef Chermiti reduced the deficit in the 51st minute before Nico Raskin pulled the Light Blues level in the 70th minute, bundling home with time on the clock to find a winner.

It was Motherwell who took all three points, though. On the final minute of normal time, Longelo’s drive looped off the head of defender Emmanuel Fernández and ended up in the back of the net, leaving Rangers in third place and four points off the top with four games to play.

• Ewan Murray’s match report will follow