Hearts four points clear after routing Queen of the South 6-1

Liam Boyce nodded Hearts' second and got another in the second half

Hearts thrashed Queen of the South 6-1 to move four points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.

Steven Naismith's stunning volley and Liam Boyce's header put the hosts two up at the break.

Boyce slid in his second early in the second period before Ayo Obileye pulled one back for Queens.

But Jamie Walker rammed in Hearts' fourth, Elliott Frear then notched his first goal for the club and Josh Ginnelly added another from 30 yards.

The win boosts confidence for Robbie Neilson's side going into next Sunday's Scottish Cup final against holders Celtic.

Queens are second bottom of the second tier, below Alloa Athletic on goal difference and two points above Arbroath.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "We have been playing very well recently and been creating a lot of chances and managed to take some of them. I think we could probably have scored more goals but I will take six and that's us four points clear at the top of the table, which is really important for us."

Queen of the South manager Allan Johnson: "I can't remember many times in my career getting beat by that scoreline. It's really frustrating when you see the goals and the timing of the goals. We lose a goal right at half-time when you are still in the game at 1-0 and then 30 seconds into the second half you lose a goal as well. From then it's just an uphill battle."