On a dramatic Sunday in the three-way battle for the championship, the Jambos took full advantage of Rangers’ defeat by Motherwell earlier in the day – but only just.

Hearts fell behind early on to a Martin Boyle goal before things turned in their favour when Hibs had goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger sent off for handling outside his box and denying a goalscoring opportunity in the 14th minute.

Wing-back Felix Passlack was then dismissed for a second bookable offence just three minutes into the second half.

Hearts eventually levelled when Warren O’Hora turned a Lawrence Shankland flick into his own net in the 65th minute before substitute Blair Spittal slotted home an 86th-minute winner, sparking delirious scenes among a 3,700-strong away support scenting a first title win since 1960.

With just four games left, McInnes’ side are now three points clear of Celtic with a superior goal difference and four ahead of Rangers, who they host a week on Monday.

“It’s a big weekend for us and Celtic because Rangers have lost but it doesn’t mean to say that that’s going to be (it),” said the manager. “It helps us this weekend but there’s another round of fixtures next weekend and it could easily be us on the wrong side if we don’t knuckle down and get on with the job.

“But it’s a big win for us in the sense that it’s against your local rivals and it’s the first game (after) the split. Although it’s only three points, I do think that if you win your first game it can give you impetus and the confidence to go and deal with what’s ahead of you.

“And obviously next Monday is a brilliant game for us at home to Rangers. We knew we only had two home games post-split, we’re unbeaten at home (since last season), but the question that’s been asked of us recently is ‘can we win away games?’ and that was such a significant away win for us.”

McInnes was pleased that Hearts “stayed calm” as the tension grew.

“You don’t practice against nine men, so it’s an unusual set of circumstances,” he said.

“I thought some of our crossing was poor but I thought we’d come up with a big moment and it was no more than we deserved.

“A derby game can be quite contentious but we kept our discipline, we kept our composure, we kept 11 men on the pitch and we kept our calmness to get the result.

“Spittal scores goals like that every day in training. I’m delighted that he got such a big moment for him in his career but hopefully a big moment in our story at Hearts this season.”

Hibs boss David Gray had no complaints with either of the red cards but said: “The nine men that remained on the pitch gave absolutely everything. They deserved to get something out of the game, they were outstanding.”