Hearts 3 Hamilton 1

Jamie Walker's double helped lift Hearts into second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership after Robbie Neilson's side came from behind to beat Hamilton 3-1.

After the Tynecastle outfit dominated a one-sided first half, Accies stormed ahead in the 50th minute when Ali Crawford slammed a volley into the net.

But Walker levelled with a powerful header before converting a controversial penalty after Sam Nicholson's charging run into the area was halted by Shaun Want.

Nicholson then added gloss to the scoreline with a close-range injury-time volley.

The victory moves Hearts two points clear of Rangers in second after the Ibrox club lost the midday Old Firm clash at Celtic.

Hearts were quick out of the blocks and created a series of chances during the early stages at a sun-soaked Tynecastle.

Five minutes were on the clock when Conor Sammon dispossessed Accies captain Massimo Donati and fed Walker but the winger's low left-footed drive was well held by Remi Matthews.

Moments later, forward Tony Watt fired a shot straight at the Hamilton keeper.

Accies were literally camped in at the edge of their own box and defender Georgios Sarris produced a last-gasp diving block to direct Sammon's close-range shot behind for a corner.

Callum Paterson was in the mood after collecting his maiden competitive cap for Scotland in last Sunday's win over Malta and the Hearts defender twice went close with headers from Dow Cowie corners.

Hearts' pressure was incessant but they struggled to deliver a telling blow. Watt's tame effort from a Sammon lay-off was easily collected by Matthews before the striker was then booked for diving under a challenge from substitute Want in the box.

Forays into the opposition box were few and far between for Hamilton and even when Alex D'Acol found himself in space, the forward's shot was well blocked by John Souttar.

Hearts came again although Sammon failed to make the most of another good chance. After running on to Watt's clever dummy, the former Wigan and Derby striker curled a left-foot shot from 15 yards past the post.

Following the way the first half panned out, it seemed unlikely that the visitors would be the first to strike but that's exactly what happened five minutes after the interval when Crawford silenced Tynecastle.

Grant Gillespie sped past Paterson on the left flank and his delivery was volleyed into the net by Crawford from 12 yards.

Hearts were stunned by that goal although they came close to making an immediate response, Walker slamming a right-footed half-volley off the upright from the edge of the box.

Hearts head coach Neilson brought on Nicholson and Bjorn Johnsen and the changes had an immediate impact.

Winger Nicholson dug out a cross from the right-corner flag and Walker bulleted a header beyond Matthews from 12 yards.

Hearts continued to press in the hope of finding the winner. Paterson had an acrobatic volley from a Nicholson cross turned round the post by the outstretched Matthews.

Walker grabbed his and his team's second in the 81st minute from the penalty spot. Nicholson was upended by Want in the box and referee Craig Thomson awarded a spot-kick, despite fierce protest from Accies. After a brief delay, Walker calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Nicholson then netted at the death after taking down a Robbie Muirhead cross at the back post.