Hearts 1 Rangers 0

The visit of Rangers was billed as Hearts' biggest test of the season so far - and the Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders passed with flying colours.

They boasted a 100% record in the league ahead of the game but had yet to face either half of the Old Firm.

But a Roman Bednar header in the first half showed they have every intention of holding onto their unlikely status as Scotland's top team - for the time being anyway.

When the smoke from the pre-match firework display had cleared, the game began at a frenzied pace.

Seven wins from seven games meant it was hardly surprising confidence was flowing through Hearts and they set about trying to show exactly why they are top of the table.

Rangers were just as keen to remind their hosts who the Scottish champions are and it was the Ibrox side who almost drew first blood.

Dado Prso raced down the right flank before spotting Olivier Bernard in plenty of space but the former Newcastle defender failed to connect properly with his diving header at the near post and the gaping goal was left unbreached.

Rudi Skacel's goal in every league game prior to the visit of Rangers ensured he was already a popular figure with the Jambos support, despite only arriving in Edinburgh in the summer.

This time he turned provider to set up Edgaras Jankauskas for a header which was denied its place in the back of the net only by the quick response of Ronald Waterreus, who produced an impressive block to keep the scoreline level.

The reprieve was merely temporary, though, when Hearts took the lead after 14 minutes. The resulting corner was taken by Paul Hartley and the Scotland international could not fail to notice Bednar unmarked and in a prime position.

The Czech star met the inswinger with his forehead and firmly planted the ball in the net from eight yards out.

There was more bad news to follow for Rangers when Nacho Novo limped off the park in obvious discomfort and was replaced by on-loan Charlton forward Francis Jeffers.

It was to be the beginning of an unfortunate trend when goalscorer Bednar and Takis Fyssas, a pre-match injury doubt, were both forced out the action and were replaced by Stephen Simmons and Jamie McAllister.

However, when Rangers swapped Julien Rodriguez for Thomas Buffel 10 minutes before the interval, the switch was purely tactical.

Rangers emerged for the restart with their teeth bared and determined to haul themselves back into the game but there was too much bluster and not enough end result.

Their best chance of the opening period came when Bernard flighted a long ball half the length of the pitch to Andrews but Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon did not look troubled by the header.

Even so, it was the wake-up call Hearts needed. Jankauskas raced into the box but found himself sandwiched between Fernando Ricksen and Andrews and his header lacked enough power to sufficiently worry the Rangers goalkeeper.

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson's penalty appeal, claiming he was tripped in the box by Hartley, was rewarded with a yellow card instead of a spot-kick.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, the Ibrox side threw Federico Nieto into the action in place of Hamed Namouchi.

The Argentinian did not have to wait too long for his opportunity to shine - but squandered the opportunity instead. Buffel made a tremendous run before cutting the ball back into the path of the South American but he completely miscued the shot.

The game ended in controversial circumstances when Jeffers then tried his luck with a last-gasp shot, which appeared to come off the hand of Robbie Neilson but again the penalty claims were ignored.

The capacity crowd at Tynecastle had been treated to an impressive parachute show from the Scottish Infantry at half-time but it was Rangers' championship hopes which were left in freefall as Hearts held on for the win.

Teams

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Fyssas (McAllister 32), Jankauskas, Hartley, Camazzola (Wallace 85), Skacel, Bednar (Simmons 27), Brellier.

Subs Not Used: Banks, Cesnauskis, Berra, Elliot.

Booked: Camazzola, Jankauskas.

Goals: Bednar 14.

Rangers Waterreus, Rodriguez (Buffel 36), Andrews, Kyrgiakos, Ricksen, Namouchi (Nieto 74), Murray, Ferguson, Bernard, Prso, Novo (Jeffers 20).

Subs Not Used: Klos, Lowing, McCormack, Pierre-Fanfan.

Booked: Ricksen, Ferguson.

Att: 17,379

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com