Jim Jefferies knows that Hearts could have run up a cricket score against Elgin City here at Tynecastle tonight, but the manager was more than happy to see his charges notch up a second consecutive 4-0 win.

The home side prevailed comfortably against their Irn-Bru Third Division opponents, winning with ease with a good display of attacking football in front of nearly 5,000 supporters.

Eggert Jonsson, Kevin Kyle, Arvydas Novikovas and Scott Robinson netted the goals on a night that would have once again enthused the Jambo faithful.

"You are looking for the third goal to kill them off," Jim told journalists after the game. "After that we knew the game was won and we were a bit slack.

"We gave the ball away too much for my liking, but I thought 4-0 was well justified.

"They are a lower division club and although you look for a shock there was a gulf in class."

JJ was particularly pleased to see Eggert Jonsson, Ryan Stevenson and Kevin Kyle come through their first full match of the season as he now turns his attention to Sunday's big game against Dundee United on home territory.

Even without knee injury victims Marius Zaliukas, Darren Barr and Calum Elliot Hearts were simply far too strong for their Highland opponents.

The gaffer was also pleased to give goalkeeper Janos Balogh a run-out, whilst he delighted in the performance of David Templeton and man of the match Arvydas Novikovas.

"Ryan Stevenson and Eggert Jonsson would have played even if everyone was fit," the boss explained. "I did not want to make two other changes. It was good for Kevin, Eggert and Ryan to get 90 minutes.

"You never know with the goalkeeper so with Balogh it was good for him to get some playing time.

"I wanted to go with the two young boys and trying and frighten them down the wings at put in crosses for big Kyle. Their goalkeeper did well to keep it down to four."

On the two wingers JJ said: "There's good competition for places. I am not saying I would play them both every week as we would be a bit open.

"It was virtually 4-2-4 ion the end and the young boys had a license to get forward and get crosses in. Craig Thomson was the same and I think he put the ball in for Kyle. Their goalkeeper made some marvellous saves.

"They shared the goals around so that's good. Kevin could have had a hat-trick but for the goalkeeper and Ryan Stevenson came close."

Jim revealed the decision to withdraw Lee Wallace in the second half was purely precautionary. The Scotland star is currently suffering from inflammation on his ankle although he's confident that all will be fine for Sunday.

Now for the third round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and predictably the manager is expecting a stern test, despite Hearts status as a seeded team.

"We have to see what the draw brings and do the best we can," JJ added. "When you get to the later stages nobody plays a weakened side."

On Hearts.TV today - Catch reaction from JJ and Ryan Stevenson and tomorrow watch all the action from Tynecastle