Ayr United 0 - 1 Hearts RECAP: Liam Boyce's goal wins scrappy game - opens up 12-point lead

Hearts are in Ayrshire for the first of two consecutive Friday matches as they look to make further strides towards the Scottish Championship title.

Live coverage of Hearts' trip to Ayr in the Championship. Picture: SNS

Ayr United are the opponents this evening before a return to the south west of Scotland for a clash with Queen of the South next week. Both games are being shown live on BBC Scotland.

Robbie Neilson’s men know they will reopen a 12 point lead at the top of the league with a win following Dunfermline Athletic’s 4-1 win over Raith Rovers during the week saw the Pars move into second place.

It is the club’s first trip to Somerset Park for a competitive fixture since 2011 when Paulo Sergio’s side lost on penalties in a League Cup encounter. The previous meeting this season saw Hearts come out 5-3 winners in a festive thriller on Boxing Day.

Hearts have had their moments on the road this campaign, losing at both Dunfermline and Dundee, as well as Alloa Athletic in the Betfred Cup. Ayr will know they can move into the top four with a win and come into the match off the back of a 4-1 win over the Wasps last weekend.

With Neilson adding Aaron McEneff and Gervane Kastaneer to the squad on Monday, the squad and starting XI will be an intriguing one when it gets announced at around 6.30pm.

Stay tuned with the blog, we will have live coverage of the match throughout the evening with all the latest updates, reaction and analysis.