Hearts 1 PARS 0

DUNFERMLINE'S long wait for a league win at Tynecastle goes on as Jamie Walker's late goal moved Hearts a huge step towards the Championship title.

The substitute's 81st minute winner sealed what could be a massive three points for the Jam Tarts, and leave Dunfermline 12 points adrift, albeit with a game in hand.

A first away defeat of the season was harsh on the Pars, who defended solidly and carved out some good opportunities, particularly in the first minute.

A goalline clearance and a smart Craig Gordon save denied them inside the opening 60 seconds, with the Scotland keeper the difference between a blank half-time scoreline and an Athletic lead thanks to an unbelievable save from a Ryan Dow header.

Although the hosts enjoyed more territory after half-time, and chances, Dunfermline still eeked out efforts of their own and will feel hard done by not to have left with at least a point.

Dunfermline arrived in Gorgie in search of a first league win on this ground in almost 31 years.

Not since Ross Jack and George O'Boyle, under Jim Leishman's charge in February 1990, had the Pars left Tynecastle with maximum points, although they did secure a Betfred Cup, group stage bonus point win in 2017 after a 2-2 draw.

One of the goalscorers that day, Declan McManus, led the line for the visitors, who made two changes to the team that started last weekend's stalemate with Ayr United.

Dom Thomas, who scored one and set up one in Athletic's 2-1 win in November's reverse fixture at East End, and Kyle Turner were both absent, with Lewis Mayo and Fraser Murray taking their places in the starting line-up.

For the hosts, Robbie Neilson made two changes to the team that thumped Raith Rovers 4-0 at Stark's Park midweek, having lost to the Kirkcaldy side on home turf last week.

Josh Ginnelly and Jamie Walker, the latter of whom dropped to the bench, were replaced by Steven Naismith and Euan Henderson, while January signing, Gary Mackay-Steven, started.

Armand Gnanduillet, who came off the bench to score twice at Raith, again was amongst the substitutes as Neilson went in search of a win that would take them 12 points clear of their opponents, who do have a game in hand.

But, inside the opening minute, they were fortunate not to be behind as Dunfermline made a fast start.

Almost straight from the kick off, they moved forward and an excellent snapshot from McManus was goal-bound until Michael Smith appeared to clear off the line.

The Pars retrieved the ball and Fraser Murray, the on-loan Hibernian player, almost found the far corner from the left, only to be denied by a fine stop by Gordon to turn it around the post.

From the resultant corner, Paul Watson got a header on target, but that was far more comfortable for the Scotland international to deal with.

It was a confident start by the visitors and, aside from a Liam Boyce header from a corner, Hearts hadn't really got into their groove - but came close in 16 minutes.

From Steven Naismith's inswinging corner, Mihai Popescu found space for a header at the far post, only to be denied by a fine Owain Fon Williams save.

Midway through the half, Fraser Murray had another sniff of goal when he took control of a Fon Williams goal kick and moved into space at the right edge of the box.

His shot was hit with plenty of power but, unfortunately for him, Stephen Kingsley was there to make a good block, with the ball rebounding off the Pars man and out for a goal kick.

Andy Halliday tried his luck from range, but saw his effort deflected wide, as both teams battled hard in the middle of the park, but Dunfermline almost profited from clearing the Hearts corner.

They broke upfield and Fraser Murray released Mayo down the left, who checked inside on his right to cross.

The ball eventually broke for Dow at the edge of the box but, as he waited for the ball to drop before volleying, the hosts were able to block.

Watson then sent a header, this time from Iain Wilson's centre, wide as the Pars looked for a breakthrough before the interval, and they almost got it four minutes from half time.

And the only reason they didn't was down to the outstanding ability of Gordon.

Fraser Murray produced a sublime cross from the left, which was met perfectly by the head of Dow.

The Pars midfielder did everything right, and looked certain to score, until the former £9 million Sunderland stopper sprung to somehow claw the ball over the bar.

It was the type of save that a keeper of Gordon's calibre has produced time and again throughout his outstanding career, but it was no less impressive.

At the other end, a short corner whipped in by Naismith caused some discomfort in the Pars box, with Fon Williams and Watson going for it, but the visitors survived, albeit with the centre back needing a bit of treatment following the collision.

Hearts forced a few corners early in the second half as they sought to assert more pressure, and Euan Henderson forced Fon Williams into a save from the edge of the area after he was played in on the left by Naismith.

Smith, having denied the Pars in the opening minute, rifled a shot from the edge of the area just wide as the hosts began to press more, but McManus then had a great chance at the other end.

Fraser Murray and Dow worked the ball well down the right, with the latter crossing to the far post.

The ball was nodded down into the striker's path, but McManus' snapshot from 12 yards was held by Gordon.

Neilson made a double switch on the hour, sacrificing Mackay-Steven and Henderson for Aidy White and Gnanduillet, but McManus again soon worked Gordon, the keeper this time pushing a shot around the post.

However, the Jam Tarts responded, with Fon Williams doing brilliantly to save from a Gnanduillet header, who then pulled an effort from close range wide after Liam Boyce did well to pick him out.

Scott Banks, signed last week on loan from Crystal Palace, came on for his debut in place of Fraser Murray, and Kevin O'Hara replaced the tireless McManus, as Crawford freshened his side up in an attempt to find a winner in the final quarter.

Craig Halkett sent a looping header onto the roof of the Pars net as still the visitors remained firm, but, with nine minutes left, they were undone.

Walker showed tremendous skill to spin away from his man and fire a ball across the face of goal and, although Boyce and a Pars defender were sliding in, the substitute was credited with the goal.

Dunfermline tried to respond, with Dow having two efforts desperately blocked before they forced a succession of corners.

But, try as they might, they couldn't fashion an equaliser as their wait for victory in Gorgie goes on.

Hearts: Gordon, Smith, Boyce, Naismith (Walker 74), Halliday, Mackay-Steven (White 59), Irving, Kingsley, Halkett, Popescu, Henderson (Gnanduillet 59).

Subs not used: Haring, Berra, Frear, Stewart.

Goal: Walker (81).

Pars: Fon Williams, Comrie, Watson, E. Murray, Edwards, Dow, Mayo, Whittaker (McCann 83), F. Murray (Banks 68), Wilson, McManus (O'Hara 72).

Subs not used: MacDonald, McInroy, Todd, Gill.

Referee: Willie Collum.