Hearts have jumped off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership after a 3-1 win over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.
The Tynecastle side now sit a point ahead of 12th placed Hamilton after Tuesday’s derby win with both on 28 games.
After a tight first half at Easter Road the sides went in to the break at 0-0 in a dress rehearsal for the Scottish Cup semi-final, but the visitors took the lead around seven minutes into the second.
Stendel’s men were awarded a penalty after a Scott Allen hand ball in the box and Sean Clare converted to put them one up on the 52nd minute.
It was Clare’s fourth goal in his last seven games.
Australian international Oliver Bozanic then put Hearts 2-0 up with a curling finish from outside the box.
Conor Washington then added a third with ten minutes to go with a goal that put the game beyond Jack Ross’s side.
Melker Hallberg then grabbed a late consolation for the home side as the stadium lay all but empty other than the near 4,000 celebrating away fans behind the goals.
Hearts captain Steven Naismith had a chance to put the icing on the cake but blasted his 93rd minute over the cross bar.
Hibernian remain in sixth place and five points ahead of Kilmarnock who have a game in hand as they look to secure a top half finish.
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