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Hearts fans would have been forgiven for thinking they had one hand on the SPFL Premiership title last night, only for a controversial Celtic penalty at Motherwell to leave them dejected.
Hearts did their bit in Gorgie, recording a 3-0 victory over Falkirk, and might have thought they would be celebrating a sensational title win after Motherwell took a first half lead against Celtic.
A Celtic equaliser just before half time, before goals from Benjamin Nygren and Liam Gordon, saw the teams deadlocked going in stoppage time. However, there was to be a late twist in the tale, with Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson being penalised for a handball in the box.
Kelechi Iheanacho duly tucked the penalty away to hand Celtic all three points and leave Hearts needing at least a point on Saturday to clinch their first title since 1960.
Scores of Hearts fans had stayed behind after full time - glued to mobile phones waiting for the final result from Lanarkshire, but they were left dejected as Iheanacho’s 96th minutes penalty dragged Celtic back to within a point of Hearts.
1. Hearts v Falkirk
Disappointed Hearts fans leave Tynecastle after a late Celtic penalty at Motherwell denied them the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table. | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening
2. Hearts v Falkirk
Hearts will now need a draw at Celtic Park to seal their first league title since 1960 | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening
3. Hearts v Falkirk
Hearts currently top the SPFL Premiership, a single point clear of title rivals Celtic. | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening
4. Hearts v Falkirk
This seasons pace setters could have clinched the title last night had Celtic lost and Hearts won. | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening