Heart of Midlothian secured a magnificent away win at Kilmarnock this evening, blowing the hosts away with three goals at Rugby Park.
The victory sends Hearts five points clear at the league summit, making it four wins on the spin for Derek McInnes' team in the William Hill Premiership.
Craig Halkett's first half header sent Hearts into the break on a high, and the Jambos emerged with renewed intensity in the second 45 with Claudio Braga bagging a quickfire brace to send a bumper maroon support into raptures.
For the fourth consecutive match; Derek McInnes maintained a tried and tested formula - sticking with the same XI that brought such success against Rangers, Falkirk, and Hibs.
Emerging to expected hostility from the Rugby Park crowd, Killie went on the offensive from the off, with David Watson seeing his spectacular curling strike from the edge of box pushed behind after 15 minutes by Alexander Schwolow.
A minute later, Killie went again, but Bruce Anderson's blast at goal was less successful, sailing high and wide over the German's crossbar as the Jambos looked to get their foot onto the pedal.
That moment of magic arrived after 18 minutes; James Brown flicked Alexandros Kyziridis' cross behind for a corner - with derby hero Craig Halkett making it two in two as he rose highest to send a bullet header crashing into the net.
The Jambos almost had their second just moments later; some more Kyziridis magic on the flank saw another dangerous cross catch Kilmarnock out, with his effort just rolling across the face of goal without any takers.
Proceedings settled down into a rhythm after an electric start, but there was time for Kilmarnock appeals for a penalty - Bruce Anderson protesting at being handled in the box, but referee Ross Hardie waved away their howls.
There was one final chance in firs-half stoppage time, as the ball was worked to Cammy Devlin who was unmarked with space in the Killie box - but was behind by just a touch and could only poke the ball into the gloves of Eddie Beach.
HT: Kilmarnock 0-1 Heart of Midlothian
Hearts weren't about to rest on their laurels, and came out the traps with two sucker punch goals that left Killie floored.
The second arrived after 58 minutes via some cute interplay between Kyziridis and Claudio Braga. The Greek had won possession on the halfway line and send his colleague scarpering towards goal.
His first effort was palmed back into play by Eddie Beach in goals, with Braga squeezing home the rebound to send a packed Chadwick Stand into a frenzy. He wasn't done yet, though.
Kyziridis worked his magic once more, punishing Killie for losing the ball as he sped into the open Killie box. Braga closed in for the kill, and Kyzi unselfishly squared the ball across goal, with Braga skipping past Beach and guiding the ball into an empty net.
To say Hearts supporters were having a field day behind the goal was an understatement, with the wall of maroon singing loud and proud to quieten the previously noisy home support.
There was little else to report, and Hearts returned up the M77 with a deserved, and deeply enjoyable, three points.
Up next; Celtic at Tynecastle Park...
Kilmarnock: Beach, Thompson, Mayo, Deas, Dackers (Tiffoney 80'), Kiltie (Magennis 71'), Watson, Stanger (Lyons 59'), Brown (Brandon 71'), Anderson, Polworth (Williams 59')
Subs: Armour, Brandon, Williams, McKenzie, Lyons, Magennis, Tiffoney, Schilte-Brown, Brannan
Hearts: Schwolow, Kingsley, Halkett, Baningime, Shankland (Spittal 87'), Braga (Magnusson 88'), Devlin, Milne (Kabangu 88'), Findlay, McEntee, Kyziridis (Forrest 75')
Subs: Gordon, McCart, Kabangu, Kabore, Steinwender, Spittal, Forrest, Magnusson, Kerjota
Attendance: 9,026
