A single first half goal from Iain Russell gave Livingston victory over Hearts this afternoon and ensured that the Lions superb record on home turf continues.

Hearts brought a squad packed with first-team players to the Braidwood Motor Company Stadium, but they were unable to break down a resolute Livi defence all afternoon.

The decisive goal came in the 34th minute when Iain Russell knocked the ball over the line from close range after Kenny Deuchar got on the end of a Jonny Brown cross to head the ball across the face of Janos Balogh's goal.

Hearts had chances but paid the price for some wayward shooting, while at the other end of the park, Marc McNulty came within a whisker of his first goal of the season, when his powerful shot was deflected onto the post with Hearts sub keeper Jamie MacDonald beaten.

The win means that the Lions' long unbeaten run extends to 27 competitive and friendly matches.

Livingston: Jamieson, Brown, Talbot, Ky.Jacobs (Sinclair HT), C.Barr, Watson, Fox, Kn.Jacobs (R.Gray 82), Deuchar (Trialist 58), Russell (McNulty 69), Barr (Cummings 82).
Subs not used: Travis, Murphy

Heart of Midlothian: Balogh (MacDonald 70), Jonsson, Wallace (Grainger 58), Prychynenko (Hamill 72), D.Barr, McGowan, Holt (Templeton 69), Stevenson (Elliott 58), Smith (Sutton 72), Obua, Novikovas.

Att: 976

Ref: J Beaton