By Gavin McCafferty, PA Sport

Roman Bednar struck a late winner as Hearts moved 13 points behind Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Celtic after a dramatic second half at Almondvale.

In his first home match as Livingston boss, Tynecastle legend John Robertson saw his side level twice in the second half through Richard Brittain and Dave MacKay.

But substitute Bednar struck with three minutes left to add to earlier goals from Bruno Aguiar and Edgar Jankauskas.

Hearts brought January signings Martin Petras and Aguiar into midfield for the suspended Julien Brellier and Paul Hartley while Christophe Berra replaced ill skipper Steven Pressley.

Livi came close in the second minute when Graham Dorrans released Sam Morrow in the right channel but the on-loan Hibernian striker's shot flashed just wide of the far post.

They missed an even better chance a minute later when Greg Strong put a free header over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box after a deep corner.

Livi looked hungrier and Brittain curled a free-kick from the left edge of the box just past the far post. But Hearts took the lead in the 17th minute when Aguiar's deflected 18-yard shot looped over Roddy McKenzie after a Calum Elliot cross had caused panic.

The away side's possession play improved after the goal with Dorrans and Morrow starting to look slightly isolated up front for Livi.

However, they combined well on the break and Brittain joined them in attack but mis-hit his shot from 20 yards.

Elliot went down under a challenge from Strong just inside the box but referee John Underhill waved play on and Craig Gordon did well to beat away Allan Walker's shot from 15 yards after Morrow had laid it inside.

McKenzie also saved well as the interval approached when he tipped a 25-yard strike from Petras over the crossbar.

The hosts made a purposeful start to the second half without troubling Gordon and Livi defender Strong was soon forced to clear a superb cross from Deividas Cesnauskis as Berra waited to pounce.

The away support took to chanting Robertson's name amid the lack of action but they were silent moments later when Brittain levelled out of the blue in the 59th minute.

His inswinging free-kick from the left wing missed everyone and curled inside Gordon's far post.

Livi had found an extra gear and Gordon kept Hearts level with a magnificent save in the 65th minute. Dorrans did well to retain possession on the right side of the box and his cross found Walker at the far post, but Gordon brilliantly blocked his powerful effort.

Hearts put former Tynecastle goalkeeper McKenzie under severe pressure with a number of balls into the box and they went back in front in the 72nd minute.

Robbie Neilson sent Cesnauskis away down the right and the Lithuanian's cross was headed home at the near post by his compatriot Jankauskas.

The game opened up and Strong had another free header in the box which he directed straight at Gordon.

At the other end McKenzie raced off his line to dive at the feet of Rudi Skacel but Livingston levelled again in the 77th minute with a screamer.

A ball into the box was half-cleared to right-back MacKay and he volleyed into the top corner from 20 yards.

Three minutes later Livi had a great chance to go ahead after Wes Hoolahan's tempting cross from the left found Brittain at the far post. He laid it back to substitute Robert Snodgrass but he was on the ground after a theatrical tumble seconds earlier.

With six minutes left a Petras sidefoot volley just cleared the crossbar after the impressive Aguiar had swung over a free-kick.

But Hearts took the lead in the 87th minute through Bednar. Aguiar played a long ball forward which Jason Dair failed to deal with and the Czech forward smashed the ball home from 12 yards.

Bednar played fellow sub Chris Hackett through in injury time but McKenzie blocked well, with the final whistle signalling victory for Graham Rix's men.

Taken from sportinglife.com