United had taken an early lead at Tynecastle through Barry Douglas before Rudi Skacel levelled just before half-time.

Hearts then left it late again in the second half as a header from Zaliukas proved to be decisive, with Goodwillie denied an equaliser from the spot in the final seconds.

Rare goals from Ross Tokely and Russell Duncan gave Inverness a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone - ending their 11-game run without a league win.

Tokely's powerful header from five yards opened the scoring after 28 minutes before Duncan sealed Caley Thistle's third home league win of the season with a close-range tap-in in the 62nd minute.

Clinical Aberdeen eased to an emphatic 5-0 victory over a shambolic Kilmarnock at Pittodrie.

The Dons broke the deadlock when Scott Vernon's shot squeezed past Cameron Bell after 15 minutes before Sone Aluko added a second with a low drive 10 minutes later.

Chris Maguire netted a third from the spot after 59 minutes before Rory McArdle scored the fourth from close range with 19 minutes remaining. Substitute Josh Magennis added a fifth in the closing stages.

John Sutton's penalty was enough to keep Motherwell firmly in the hunt for a top-six place and intensify Hamilton's relegation fears.

Sutton netted in the 36th minute to secure a 1-0 win after Martin Canning had held the striker as the home side capitalised on a dominant first-half display.

Jim McAlister missed a free header for Hamilton just after the break but Motherwell finished the match on top to leave Hamilton five points adrift at the foot of the SPL.