Ruthless Hearts on brink of the title
LIAM BOYCE’S hat-trick helped Hearts hit Alloa for six and move to within a point of the Championship title. Boyce’s treble and goals from Euan Henderson, Aaron McEneff and Jamie Walker saw off the demoralised Wasps. Robbie Neilson’s men could even be crowned champions today, but only if nearest challengers Raith Rovers and Dundee fail to win. Regardless of the permutations, what is all but certain is that Hearts are heading back to the Premiership. Whether that is enough to assuage those supporters who want manager Robbie Neilson removed for overseeing the humiliating Scottish Cup loss at Brora Rangers remains to be seen. Hearts made the breakthrough through Boyce in the 26th minute. Andy Halliday threaded a perfectly-weighted pass through to the striker in the box and Boyce flicked a first time shot into the top corner. The second arrived just five minutes later after Henderson, who ran from his own 18-yard line, was upended in the box by Alloa goalkeeper Neil Parry. Boyce made no mistake from 12 yards as he sent Parry the wrong way. The game was put to bed at the start of the second period as Hearts scored twice within two minutes. The first arrived in the 51st minute when the impressive Henderson ran on to Peter Haring’s defence splitting pass before cooling lifting the ball over the advancing Parry. Henderson was involved in the fourth too, as Boyce claimed his hat-trick. McEneff’s first time drive from the playmaker’s cross was blocked by Parry but Boyce was well positioned to rifled the rebound high into the net. It was no surprise when the fifth arrived in the 71st minute. Steven Naismith’s pass was collected by McEneff and the midfielder sent the Alloa defence into a spin before burying a shot from ten yards past Parry. Substitute Walker wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute with a simple tap in.