Hearts go 20 points clear at top of Scottish Championship

Image: Jamie Walker: Late strike for Hearts

Late goals from Jamie Walker and Billy King ensured Hearts moved 20 points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship with a 3-1 victory at Raith Rovers.

Substitute Walker scored in the 79th minute and King's goal six minutes later secured a seventh-consecutive league victory for Hearts.

Kevin McHattie, making his first appearance since November 22 following a knee injury, fired Hearts into a 27th-minute lead at Stark's Park.

Hearts could win the Scottish Championship on Sunday if results go there way after they beat Raith Rovers.

But Craig Barr's header from a Ryan Conroy corner for Raith made it 1-1 at half-time.

Raith's Christian Nade was sent off - the striker was given a straight red card - for a foul on defender McHattie in the 64th minute when 1-1.

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McHattie tapped in James Keatings' deflected effort from close range for the opener before Barr's 43rd-minute equaliser for Raith, who remain sixth after a seventh home Championship defeat of the season.

Hearts, who secured a 12th away league victory so far, regained the lead after Nade's dismissal when Walker cut in from the left and slammed a low shot into the far corner.

And, with five minutes of normal time remaining, Walker set up King for a third goal for Robbie Neilson's runaway leaders.

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