Livingston’s faint hopes of Scottish Premiership survival were dealt another blow as rampant Hearts came from two goals down to win at Tynecastle.

Starting the day nine points adrift, Livingston stormed into a two-goal lead thanks to well-taken strikes from Stephen Kelly.

The midfielder calmly side-footed into the corner from distance when Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon raced out and left an open goal before driving in a second from the edge of the box.

But, in the space of just 22 first-half minutes, Hearts rattled in four goals without reply.

Jorge Grant turned in Lawrence Shankland’s cross to start the comeback and then Yutaro Oda and Cammy Devlin also converted crosses from the left from close range.

To add insult to injury in stoppage-time, Mikey Devlin’s headed backpass was easily picked off by Oda, who was brought down on his way to goal by goalkeeper Shamal George.

Shankland smashed in the penalty for his 28th goal of the season to make it 4-2 at the end of a breathless first half.

The Hearts captain also crashed a shot off the bar after the break as the frantic pace continued.

However, the home side did not need more goals to stay 11 points clear in third and guarantee at least fourth, which means European football returns to Tynecastle next term.

Livingston remain nine points adrift at the foot of the table with just five games left.

Match Report: BBC Scotland

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