Livingston squandered a great opportunity to take a huge step away from the Bank of Scotland Premier League relegation zone when they slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.

Jason Dair managed to cancel out Lee Miller's opener, but goals from Mark Burchill and Robbie Neilson secured the three points for the Jambos.

Livingston headed into the game knowing they had a great opportunity to move away from the danger zone after SPL bottom side Dundee United lost to Celtic earlier in the day.

Livingston started well, but were punished for a lack of cutting edge in front of goal when Hearts took the lead in the 22nd minute.

Miller had been fouled by Eric Deloumeaux and stepped up to bullet the resultant free-kick past goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie from 30 yards.

Hearts could have doubled their tally when Burchill's close-range effort was denied by the knees of the Livi goalkeeper.

McKenzie was the hero again a few minutes later as he tipped a point-blank Miller shot wide.

Just when Livingston thought they would be heading into half-time trailing by Miller's goal, they found themselves back on level terms.

Burton O'Brien's pass found Dair out on the right and he left goalkeeper Craig Gordon with no chance when he fired home on the stroke of half-time.

Like the first half, Livingston started well after the re-start and piled the pressure on their hosts.

But the nearest they came to a real chance was a weak effort from Dair, which was easily held by the Hearts goalkeeper.

Again, they were almost punished for not making the most of their possession when Hearts broke up the park and McKenzie was called into action to block a Deividas Cesnauskis effort.

Livingston were left cursing their luck when Colin McMenamin squared the ball into the path of Craig Easton just a few yards out, but he stumbled over the ball and the danger was cleared.

They were left rueing the missed opportunity even more when Marius Kizys set up Burchill to send a delicate lob over McKenzie and into the back of the net in the 65th minute.

Hearts added to their lead two minutes later.

McKenzie did well to block a curling Miller free-kick, but the ball broke to Neilson and he rammed home from close range.

Livingston's frustration began to show when Oscar Rubio, who was not even on the park, became the first player to be booked by referee Kenny Clark as a result of his actions in the dug-out.

Back on the park, Hearts were keen to ensure there would be no late comeback when Burchill's downward header set up Cesnauskis for a blistering shot which the Livingston goalkeeper did well to block.

Miller was denied his second in the final minute when he slotted home from an Andy Webster header but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Teams

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Wallace, Cesnauskis, MacFarlane (Stewart 83), Simmons (Kizys 60), McAllister, Miller, Burchill (Weir 86).

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Wyness, Hamill, Berra.

Booked: MacFarlane, Burchill.

Goals: Miller 22, Burchill 65, Neilson 68.

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee, Strong, Deloumeaux, Stanic, Dair (Lilley 83), Easton, Vincze, O'Brien, Horvath (McPake 45), Snodgrass (McMenamin 45).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Rubio, Dorado, Brittain.

Booked: Vincze, Rubio, McMenamin.

Goals: Dair 45.

Att: 9,187

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).