Ryan Stevenson's goal dragged Hearts right into the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race the Edinburgh side beat Rangers 1-0 on Saturday.
Jim Jefferies' men are seven points behind leaders Celtic, with The Bhoys beating Aberdeen 1-0 in the afternoon game, thanks to Anthony Stokes' strike.
However, the Bhoys are just two adrift of the defending champions with the Tynecastle victory, after Stevenson struck in the 77th minute to sink the latter in an all-action encounter.
The opening whistle had barely left the lips of referee Mike Tumilty when Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello had to parry a goalbound effort from Kyle Lafferty, before Stevenson blasted over from Rudi Skacel’s cross at the other end.
The Gers had to do without the sold Kenny Miller, but youngster Jamie Ness impressed. He benefitted from a super pass from Steven Naismith as he had the space for a shot, but Kello was on hand to deny him.
The Slovakian then brilliantly tipped behind another effort from the young man before denying a shot that fizzed from Lafferty.
Still, Walter Smith’s men pressed and Kello was really putting himself in line for the man-of-the-match award when Naismith was the latest Gers attacker to see a shot kept out by the goalkeeper.
However Hearts, with nine wins in ten in the league before this game, could not be ruled out and Skacel sent a chance across the goal and wide. Allan McGregor then blocked a Stephen Elliott effort before half-time.
Kello was called on again after the break as he blocked a close-range effort from Sasa Papac, but Gers chances were far less frequent now, with Jefferies men looking more solid in midfield and denying the second-placed side the room to furnish more opportunities.
It meant that they themselves found more time on the ball, but they were still struggling to create much. However, their moment would come.
And so it did with 13 minutes left as Lee Wallace cut in from the left hand side and crossed for Elliott. The ball broke and Stevenson showed great composure as he took a touch and found the target despite the clutter of bodies around him in a crowded area.
The Gers looked to put Hearts under siege for the remainder, but the closest they came was when Nikica Jelavic struck the crossbar from 12 yards. Other than that, however, Hearts defended soundly to a man as they held on for a massive win.
Rangers still have a game in hand on them though and already had one in hand on leaders Celtic before the Bhoys’ game with Aberdeen later in the day.