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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.
5. Hearts v Falkirk
It looked like the Jambos would seal the title with a game to spare as the teams, with Celtic trailing in Lanarkshire | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening
6. Hearts v Falkirk
But goals from Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren, befor a controversial Celtic penalty deep into stoppage time, saw the title race go down to the final day. | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening
7. Hearts v Falkirk
Hearts will be able to seal the title, their fifth, if they draw or win at Celtic Park on Saturday. | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening
8. Hearts v Falkirk
Dejected Hearts fans left Tynecastle knowing just how close the club came to sealing a momentous title with a game to spare. | Scvott Louden/Edinburgh Evening