The Australian opened the scoring just before the hour mark after Andy Webster’s header was blocked on the line by Hibernian keeper Graham Stack. McGowan was on hand to tuck away the rebound and net his first goal for Hearts since joining the first-team in 2008.

Hearts’ lead was short-lived as Hibernian equalised a minute later thanks to some help from Marius Zaliukas. The Hearts defended diverted a Danny Galbraith cross into his own net, much to the joy of the home fans.

McGowan had a part to play in Hearts' second goal seven minutes from time. The goalscorer sent in a long throw that was met by John Sutton, the striker laid it off to Andy Webster who fired his shot low into the bottom corner.

Rudi Skacel sealed victory for Hearts two minutes into injury time and extended their unbeaten run in the Edinburgh derbies to nine games.

Over at Rugby Park, Aaron Mooy played 60 minutes before making way for Nigel Hasselbaink in St Mirren’s 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock. The former Bolton youth player had a chance restore parity for St Mirren but his attempt on goal failed to test the Kilmarnock keeper.

Matt McKay returned to the Rangers squad but was an unused substitute in their 3-0 win at home to Motherwell. The Glasgow club has now scored 17 goals in last four games against the Steelmen without conceding a goal.

In the Championship, Adam Federici’s run of four consecutive clean sheets came to an abrupt end away to Cardiff. The Welsh side ran out 3-1 winners thanks to first-half goals from Mason, Gunnarson and Miller.

Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams put in full shifts as Middlesbrough were beaten 3-0 at Blackpool and missed the opportunity to overhaul Southampton at the summit. The loss sees Boro slip down to fourth, two points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

At Selhurst Park, Mile Jedinak played the full 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 loss at home to Leicester City. Former Palace midfielder Neil Danns capitalised on a goalkeeper error to give Leicester the lead before Sol Bamba doubled their advantage eighteen minutes later. Jonathan Parr pulled a goal back for Palace six minutes later but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

Leeds United captain, Patrick Kisnorbo suffered a knee injury and had to be withdrawn after 14 minutes. The Whites went on to secure a dramatic come-from-behind win at home to Burnley courtesy of a Ross McCormack goal five minutes into injury time.

Richard Garcia did not feature off the bench in Hull City’s 1-0 defeat at home to Derby County. Despite countless efforts on goal, the home side could not find a way past Derby keeper Frank Fielding. The Tigers have now lost three on the bounce and now sit just one point clear of seventh placed Blackpool.

Mark Schwarzer, Chris Herd and Vince Grella are all injured but their respective sides were in action this morning. Schwarzer’s Fulham defeated Arsenal 2-1 at Craven Cottage thanks to a late winner from Bobby Zamora, Herd’s Aston Villa were beaten 2-0 at home by the ever impressive Swansea City and Grella’s Blackburn were brought back down to earth after losing 2-1 at home to Stoke. 

In League One, Oldham Athletic custodian Alex Cisak made a number of important saves in the sides entertaining 1-1 draw away to bottom side Chesterfield. Dean Bouzanis was an unused substitute while James Wesolowski is still recovering from a shoulder injury.

In League Two, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played the entire match as Shrewsbury was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Northampton Town.