Craig Halkett sparked bedlam at Tynecastle with an added-time Edinburgh derby winner to ensure Hearts will go into the international break top of the Scottish Premiership.

The defender volleyed in substitute Sabah Kerjota's superb cross to break the deadlock after Hibernian had created the better openings.

Martin Boyle's chip came back off the crossbar, with the Australia forward having earlier drawn a save from Alexander Schwolow. Boyle also netted from an offside position.

Hearts' Alexandros Kyziridis came close to emulating his stunning strike against Falkirk last week with another ambitious effort, this one too high.

But Halkett did find the net to send Hearts five points clear.

Champions Celtic can return to within two points of Hearts with victory at home to Motherwell on Sunday.

David Gray's seventh-place Hibs lose in the league for the first time this season, having only posted one win so far.

Hibs supporters have had to endure talk of a Hearts title challenge in the early weeks of the season, but the visitors were keen to show they too can make noise in the capital and their recent derby record - two wins in a row, unbeaten in four - gave them plenty of confidence.

Gray resisted the temptation to restore Rocky Bushiri to the starting line-up. Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley warmed up for the upcoming matches against Greece and Belarus with a largely solid showing in defence - until a late lapse in concentration led to the goal.

The question was whether the visitors could breach a defence that had kept back-to-back clean sheets.

Enter Boyle with pace to burn and a useful foil up front in the shape of Kieron Bowie.

The winger's first effort from a tight angle had to be dealt with by Schwolow and the chip on to the crossbar came after Bowie's flick.

The two combined again when Boyle finished well past Schwolow, the flag quickly up and confirmed as correct by VAR.

Hearts sensed an opportunity late in the day after Hanley hesitated at a clearance and conceded a corner.

Kerjota received the ball near the right corner of the box and produced a delivery matched only by Halkett's composed finish.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "We're only seven league games in but we've had three last-minute winners, which says a lot about the team, the squad depth, the mentality.

"It was a lovely cross and Halkett put in a proper performance today. We get our reward for perseverance. We managed to come up with a winning goal, which sent the place berserk."

Hibernian head coach David Gray: "There was very few chances within the game. It probably sums up our season, not taking our chances when they do come.

"We did have the biggest chance of the game before they scored and we didn't take it and then you get punished for not being able to see it out at the other end. We don't do enough to make sure we at least come away with a point."

After the international break, Hearts are away to Kilmarnock in the Premiership on Saturday, 18 October (17:45 BST) while Hibs host Livingston (15:00).