Champions League spot for Hearts

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Hearts will be in the Champions League qualifiers next season for the first time after a tension-filled 1-0 win over Aberdeen in the Bank of Scotland Premier League at Tynecastle.

The Jambos secured second place in the SPL table courtesy of a Paul Hartley penalty in the 54th minute after Dons defender Alexander Diamond had stopped a certain goal with his hand.

Aberdeen started confidently enough but their challenge fizzled out and, with 11 minutes left, Scott Severin was sent off for a overly-robust challenge on Bruno Aguiar.

Hearts midfielder Deividas Cesnauskis went close after a minute when he quickly turned a Roman Bednar cut-back past Dons' keeper Jamie Langfield's left-hand post. However, Richard Foster's impressive run and cross from the left suggested the tenacious Pittodrie side would carry enough threat to scupper the home side's quest for second place.

The Jambos nearly grabbed the lead when a looping cross to the back post from the right by Bednar was met by Rudi Skacel, but the Czech Republic midfielder could only stretch and guide his left-footed volley past the post. Moments later, Skacel picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and fired a low left-footed drive past the same post.

The Hearts supporters did their best to inspire their heroes after the interval. However, Dons playmaker Barry Nicholson's header from 14 yards in the 50th minute, although saved comfortably by Gordon, showed a threat from Aberdeen remained.

Three minutes later, however, a Jankauskas header from 12 yards caused mayhem in the box and, although the ball was eventually cleared for a corner, the opening goal arrived immediately as a result of the set-piece.

Skacel's corner from the right appeared to be flicked on past the flailing Langfield by Bednar, leaving Diamond little option but to punch the ball clear.

Curiously, the Aberdeen player only received a yellow card from referee Stuart Dougal but was punished further when Hartley stepped up to slot the spot-kick away.

In the 73rd minute, Hearts substitute Saulius Mikoliunas, on earlier for Skacel, had a point-blank header brilliantly saved by Langfield. In the 79th minute, the visitors' chance of a comeback diminished when former Jambo Severin was shown a straight red card for a lunge at Aguiar on the touchline.