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Hearts maintained their winning start to Premiership life thanks to goals from Osman Sow and Alim Ozturk.

Ross County opened strongly but fell behind after 11 minutes when Sow cut in from the right and thrashed home a powerful shot via a post.

Ozturk was then on hand to divert in a volley from Callum Paterson.

A foul by Igor Rossi allowed County's Liam Boyce to convert a penalty before the interval but Hearts held on to make it four victories from four games.

The promoted Edinburgh side stay top of the league, while the Staggies were unable to add to the four points amassed from their last two outings.

The hosts created the best early chance in a high-tempo first half, with Neil Alexander doing well to parry a close-range shot from Michael Gardyne.

And the visitors punished that miss when they opened the scoring with their first attack of note.

Sow broke with pace down the right, leaving Richard Foster in his wake, and fired an accurate drive in off the base off a post that gave Scott Fox no chance.

Soon after, Paterson made a late run to meet Juanma's corner and the defender's volley was perfectly executed, although Ozturk made sure with the final touch.

Cheered on by a noisy travelling support, Hearts were now full of confidence, surging forward with skill and purpose.

Boyce netted a penalty for County for his first goal of the season

However, with half time approaching, the visitors lost a little of their intensity and handed Ross County a route back into the match.

Rafa De Vita floated a free kick towards the back post and Jackson Irvine knocked the ball over the target after interference from Rossi. Referee Bobby Madden awarded a spot kick which Boyce confidently stroked home for his first goal of the season.

Brazilian Rossi was shown a yellow card but, given Irvine's proximity to goal when fouled, he was perhaps fortunate to stay on the park.

The second half was interrupted by a series of substitutions and injuries, with Hearts' rhythm suffering notably after the departure of midfield lynchpin Prince Buaben.

Hearts were less threatening but defended stoutly and County failed to trouble their back line with much regularity.

Jamie Walker did create a wonderful opportunity for the visitors as he persisted down the right, got to the byeline and found Gavin Reilly, who somehow scooped the ball over an unguarded net from six yards or so.

Staggies substitute Jamie Reckord almost inadvertently delivered a late equaliser when his cross was missed by Gardyne as he ran in front of Alexander but the ball floated narrowly wide of the far post.