Kevin Kyle headed in an 86th-minute cross from substitute Arvydas Novikovas as Hearts broke down stubborn Hibs resistance to claim a 10th win from 12 games.

"I couldn't care if it was the worst game in the world - it's a sweet, sweet feeling when you win these games and the three points were the important thing," said Jefferies.

"I've got to give Hibs credit, they deserve credit for keeping us out.

"We kept going at them and we always had them on the back foot.

"I said to the players at half-time 'just be patient'.

"And when the goal went in I don't think there's anybody in the ground that could have complained Hearts didn't deserve to win the game."

With Rangers hosting Celtic tomorrow, Hearts' win means they are set to be within touching distance of at least one member of the top two regardless of the result at Ibrox.

Hearts' winner came four minutes from time and moments after Gary Glen missed when presented with a straightforward opportunity from fellow substitute Novikovas' cross.

Novikovas was the provider again, surging down the wing before his ball found Kyle who headed beyond Hibs goalkeeper Mark Brown at the near post. It was the Scotland striker's 10th of the season.

Hearts' task could have been easier after just eight minutes with Hibs captain Ian Murray lucky to escape with only a caution after clattering Ian Black in mid air.

"I've seen people sent off for it and I did say to Colin 'I think he's a lucky boy there'," said Jefferies.

"I don't think he did it with the elbow. He's gone in hard, but I think it was the right decision."

Jefferies confirmed Black lost consciousness momentarily and he spoke with the midfielder to ensure there would be no retribution sought.

Black was praised by Jefferies for a strong performance.

"I was worried about him being concussed, but I just asked him what the score was and he said 0-0 - that was enough for me," said Jefferies.

"I didn't want to make it too complicated for him. One question's enough for him even when he's not been hurt.

"Thankfully he stayed on because he was outstanding today."

Murray insisted there was no malice in the challenge.

The Hibs captain said: "It probably wasn't the best challenge, but it's one of those ones where if you go in and don't protect yourself you get hurt and I wasn't going to get hurt.

"I went in first and foremost to try and win the ball and secondly to look after myself.

"I think the referee handled it pretty well. It was the first five, 10 minutes of the game and when I went over I could hear him speaking into his earpiece and I knew he was fairly happy with a yellow card. A yellow card was probably about right.

"Of course you don't want anybody hurt but I could see he was moving.

"He played the full game, had a decent game, so maybe it did him some good."

Hibs manager Colin Calderwood agreed.

"I'm sure they came to the right decision," he said.

The defeat was Calderwood's seventh loss in 11 games in charge since succeeding John Hughes as boss in October.

But he conceded his side were second best and praised the goal.

He said: "You've got to go the full length (of the game). It is frustrating. It was our throw-in in the last third and they went quickly up the pitch and scored.

"It was terrific quality, first with the dribble, then with the cross and the header at the back stick. Sometimes that quality decides a tight game.

"But they were certainly in the ascendancy and we were living for one or two breaks."

Sol Bamba was left out by Calderwood, with the defender speaking to Leicester over a transfer.

"We had a bid from Leicester and, subject to him agreeing terms, we've given him permission to go down there," said Calderwood, who confirmed he would receive any funds from the deal to strengthen his squad.

"It's a good deal for the club."