Substitute Blair Spittal scored a late winner as Hearts eventually ground down nine-man Hibernian to take a big step towards the William Hill Premiership title with a 2-1 Edinburgh derby victory at Easter Road.
On a day of high drama in the race for the Scottish crown, the Jambos fell behind early on to a Martin Boyle goal. But Hibs soon had keeper Raphael Sallinger sent off, before Felix Passlack was also dismissed just three minutes into the second half.
Hearts made heavy weather of finding their way back into the game but eventually eked out victory as Lawrence Shankland's flick led to an own goal by ex-Bohemians man Warren O'Hora and Spittal grabbed the winner, with substitute Sabah Kerjota creating both goals.
Derek McInnes' side are now three points clear of Celtic with a superior goal difference and four ahead of Rangers, who they host a week on Monday.
Earlier, Emmanuel Longelo's deflected strike gave Motherwell a dramatic 3-2 win against Rangers to deal a blow to the Gers' title hopes.
Midfielder Lukas Fadinger fired the superior Steelmen ahead in the 16th minute before Longelo added a second in the 25th after the Gers were cut open again to the fury of the home support.
The Govan side had fought back from two down in their previous game against Falkirk to win 6-3 but the Steelmen looked more likely to add than concede.
Danny Rohl changed personnel and tactics at the interval and Youssef Chermiti reduced the deficit in the 51st minute before the striker and Nico Raskin were involved in drawing the Light Blues level in the 70th minute, with the Belgian midfielder getting the final touch.
However, in the final minute of normal time, Longelo's drive came off the head of Ibrox defender Emmanuel Fernandez and ended up in the back of the net to give the Steelmen the victory.
