Hearts vs Alloa Athletic. Scottish Championship.
TynecastleAttendance15,224.
Saturday 20 December 2014 18:00, UK
Scottish Championship leaders Hearts maintained their nine-point advantage over Rangers as they eased to a 2-0 win against Alloa Athletic.
First-half goals from James Keatings and Callum Paterson were sufficient to see off the Wasps as Robbie Neilson's side maintained their record of being the only unbeaten side in senior British football.
Keatings scored his sixth of the season with a crisp strike from just inside the box and Paterson (29) latched onto Jamie Walker's cross to double the home side's advantage.
Hearts have won 14 of their 16 games this season, conceding just eight goals, and there was plenty of enterprise and endeavour on show to keep the crowd of 15,224 entertained.
Stephen Simmons hit the post before half-time as Alloa looked for a toe-hold but Hearts were able to keep them at arms length and went close themselves to extending their lead when Miguel Pallardo's 22-yard left-foot effort came back off the crossbar.
