Hearts ended a three-game losing run in the cinch Premiership table after a 2-0 win at St Mirren, who played most of the match with 10 men.
Stephen Robinson's first game in charge got off to a poor start when Connor Ronan was shown a straight red card for a high boot on Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime in the 22nd minute.
Hearts finally made their extra man count in the 64th minute when Ellis Simms knocked in a rebound after his initial shot had been saved.
Before the visitors could recover, they fell further behind as Cameron Devlin lashed in a loose ball after Simms' effort was blocked by the keeper.
Jak Alnwick then produced another smart save to push Simms' strike onto the crossbar.
Meanwhile, Ross County came from behind to beat relegation rivals St Johnstone 3-1 in Dingwall.
Callum Hendry headed the visitors in front in the 24th minute, only for County to equalise 10 minutes later through a curling effort from top scorer Regan Charles-Cook.
The Staggies' frontman added another eight minutes into the second half, hooking the ball in from a flick on through a crowded penalty area.
Joseph Hungbo scored a third just after the hour as Ross County moved seven points clear of the relegation play-off place.
Bottom club Dundee slumped to a 4-0 home defeat by Livingston, who climb to sixth.
Bruce Anderson tapped in the opening goal after just six minutes, with Scott Pittman adding a second from close range in the 18th minute.
Anderson scored his 11th league goal of the campaign just three minutes later following a well-worked quick free-kick.
Scott Pittman thought he had grabbed a fourth early in the second half, but the midfielder's goal was ruled out for offside before Jack Fitzwater (65) eventually curled the ball in following a corner.
Aberdeen were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United in front of Sir Alex Ferguson watching on from the stands at Pittodrie.
The Terrors got off to the perfect start when Marc McNulty slotted in a penalty after just four minutes following a foul by David Bates on Ian Harkes.
Aberdeen, who have unveiled a statue in honour of their former boss, were level in the 16th minute when United defender Ryan Edwards knocked the ball in for an own goal.
Vicente Besuijen saw a late effort pushed wide as the Dons had to again settle for a share of the points following a third successive 1-1 draw.
