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Defender Alim Osturk scored for Hearts for the second game running

Alim Osturk's first-half goal secured a narrow win over Raith Rovers to keep Hearts four points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.

The defender's long-range effort rescued a point against rivals Hibernian in their last outing.

And this time the defender found the net from 30 yards after striding forward unchallenged and unleashing a fierce drive past David McGurn.

The fifth-minute goal lit up an otherwise dull affair.

But the Edinburgh side did what they needed to maintain the four-point gap with Rangers.

After opening the scoring, Ozturk then tried his luck again, this time from a 25-yard free-kick, but it fizzed narrowly over the crossbar.

The hosts dominated possession throughout the opening period but failed to create any meaningful chances.

At the other end, Paul Watson flicked a header over the bar on one of the few occasions Rovers ventured forward.

The second half continued in the same vein, with Hearts dominating possession but struggling to break down a determined Kirkcaldy side.

However, the hosts were forced to cling on in the last eight minutes with 10 men after Adam Eckersley was forced off through injury after all three substitutions had been made.