Cowdenbeath 0 : 2 Hearts - Christmas cracker seals Hearts win

Hearts gave their supporters 12 reasons to be cheerful this Christmas after stretching their lead over Rangers to a dozen points with a 2-0 win at Cowdenbeath.

The Scottish Championship leaders began brightly and took a deserved lead in the 25th minute when James Keatings finished from close range after good work down the left by Adam Eckersley.

It was the third game in a row Keatings had opened the scoring and he went close to doubling Hearts' lead minutes later as his 25-yard free-kick struck the left-hand post.

Cowdenbeath improved after the break but were left with a mountain to climb after Callum Paterson took Miguel Pallardo's cross down on his chest and smashed an unstoppable left-footed volley beyond Robbie Thomson from 18 yards.

That left the Jambos in full control with 62 minutes on the clock and they suffered few alarms as they secured their sixth league victory in a row.