French ace Stephane Adam handed Hearts a morale-boosting build-up to the Scottish Cup final with the vital opener at Tynecastle.

He fired home his 11th goal of the season in the first half before substitute Derek Holmes secured the win with seven minutes remaining.

It was Hearts' first victory in six outings and sets them up nicely for the showdown with Rangers at Celtic Park next Saturday.

Tynecastle boss Jim Jefferies looked as if he already had one eye on the final with his team selection.

Alan McManus was recalled to the centre of defence at the expense of Paul Ritchie, who has yet to agree a new deal with the club.

There were also starting spots for Thomas Flogel and Jose Quitongo, who had handed the chance to force their way into next week's team.

But Hearts were almost behind after just 30 seconds when Andy Smith's hook shot beat Gilles Rousset for Davie Weir to clear off the goal-line.

But the home side quickly began to take control in midfield and winger Neil McCann saw his shot well saved by Ian Westwater after John Robertson had sent it clear.

Weir and Dave McPherson were troubling the Fife men with clever breaks from defence that stretched their rearguard.

And it was Weir who set up Adam to crack home the opener after 22 minutes.

The Scotland stopper raced upfield and sent a perfect through ball to the French ace as Dunfermline appealed for offside.

The flag stayed down and Adam kept his cool to roll the ball beyond Westwater and into the net.

Hearts almost stretched their lead when Quitongo somehow beat the Pars' defence to reach McCann's corner and send in a header that bounced off the bar.

Tynecastle manager Jefferies decided on a switch at the interval and brought on Lee Makel to replace McCann in midfield.

And the Englishman almost created a second goal when he swept a superb pass to McPherson, but he could only fire into the side netting.

Andy Tod came within inches of levelling the score when he sent a 20 yard drive just wide after being gifted the ball by Steve Fulton.

And there was more suicidal defending in the 61st minute when Rousset sent a clearance straight to Gerry Britton.

The Fife hitman drilled in a shot but Rousset recovered well to dive to his left and spare his blushes.

And with seven minutes remaining Hearts sealed the win when substitute Holmes collected Gary Naysmith's pass to fire a shot into the net off the underside of the bar.

Teams

Hearts: Rousset, McPherson, Naysmith, Weir, McManus, Flogel, McCann (Makel 45), Fulton, Robertson (Pointon 78), Adam (Holmes 80), Quitongo.

Goals: Adam 22, Holmes 83.

Dunfermline: Westwater, Shields, McCulloch, Tod (French 78), Ireland, Huxford, Britton, Squires, Smith, Bingham (Petrie 60), Millar (Faulconbridge 78).

Att: 13,888 Ref: B Orr (Kilbarchan).