Ten man Hearts opened up a six point gap with second placed Celtic after a gutsy 2-0 victory over St. Mirren at Tynecastle Park.
The Jambos faced an uphill battle in Gorgie following Beni Baningime's early VAR-assisted dismissal for a challenge on Roland Idowu, but a thunderous Tynecastle atmosphere roared in defiance as Hearts rolled up their sleeves to get the job done.
Lawrence Shankland scored a classy flick-on early in the second 45 to set the roof on fire, before substitute Tomas Magnusson blew it clean off with a well-taken header ten minutes from time.
Derek McInnes made four changes to the side that secured victory in Dundee three days earlier; Craig Gordon replacing the suspended Alex Schwolow, the returning Harry Milne for Jamie McCart, Blair Spittal for Tomas Magnusson, and Michael Steinwender for Jordi Altena.
Following Derek McInnes' call to arms before the match, the Hearts supporters were out in numbers and loud in voice as they roared the team on from the off, but matters took a sharp turn for Hearts right from the off.
12 minutes in and the Jambos were reduced to ten for the second week in a row; Beni Baningime's yellow card for a foul against Roland Idowu in the middle of the park sparked a VAR review - which ended with an upgrade to red after the referee deemed it serious foul play from the screen.
Minutes later, Idowu thought he had the Buddies in front after sending a curling effort beyond the reach of Craig Gordon from outside the area, but another VAR check struck it off with replays confirming he was ahead of play.
Hearts were still more than up for the batttle, and quick feet from Alexandros Kyziridis in tight space saw a quick ball worked to Harry Milne out left, who dashed for the byline and crossed for Braga, with the Portuguese forward poking just wide.
Moments later, Braga was through again, but under pressure from Richard King could only send his angled strike over the crossbar from close range as the men in maroon picked themselves up and went again.
St. Mirren had another goal disallowed on the half-hour mark as Idowu's strike on the rebound from Gordon's initial save once more fell to the offside rule, with Idowu ahead of play again.
Bang on 45 minutes, and Hearts missed two glorious chances to claim the lead. Good pressing from the Jambos saw Alexandros Kyziridis catch St. Mirren sleeping and drive at goal - George saving at the first attempt before getting back across to deny Braga on the rebound.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 0-0 St. Mirren
Undeterred by a man down, Hearts were ruthless in attack from the start of the second half, with some great running from Braga down the left setting up Shankland for a pop at goal that was saved by George.
The Jambos were rewarded for their efforts on the hour mark as they raced into the lead: swarming the St. Mirren box, Blair Spittal slid the ball across to a waiting Shankland in the middle, who flicked the ball into the net with just one touch to send Tynecastle into raptures.
Hearts weren't out of the woods just yet though, and St. Mirren threatened two minutes later as Alex Gogic sent a header just wide of the post from the corner to keep the Jambos on their toes.
With ten minutes to go, and no shortage of nerves with such a slender lead, Hearts tightened their grip once more.
Harry Milne had a speculative pop at goal from outside the box, forcing Shamal George into a save that saw the ball palmed back out into danger, with substitute Tomas Magnusson leaping to nod the ball beyond George and blow the roof off Tynecastle with the celebrations.
With four minutes of stoppage time, there was even space for a fantastic Craig Gordon save in the closing minute, with Scotland's number one at full stretch to deny Killian Phillips from close range - and secure yet another three points.
Hearts: Gordon, Halkett, Baningime, Shankland (Kent 74'), Braga (Kabore 67'), Devlin (Altena 90+3'), Steinwender, Spittal (McCart 67'), Milne, Findlay, Kyziridis (Magnusson 67')
Subs: Fulton, Kent, McCart, Kabangu, Kabore, Magnusson, Altena, Kerjota, Chesnokov
St. Mirren: George, King (Campbell 66'), Idowu, Smyth (Nlundulu 57'), Mandron, McMenamin (Dijksteel 57'), Gogic, Freckleton, Fraser (Richardson 80'), John, Phillips
Subs: Mullen, Richardson, Tanser, Nlundulu, Campbell, Dijksteel, Sobowale, Taylor, Mooney
Attendance: 18,410
