Hearts skipper Danny Wilson hopes he can forget all about the pain of crashing out of all three cup competitions by winning the Championship.

The Gorgie side saw their last hope of a prolonged run in a knock-out tournament end last Sunday when they crashed 4-0 to Celtic in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Hoops ended their League Cup ambitions with a 3-0 win at Parkhead, and Livingston stunned them earlier in the campaign with a 4-1 triumph in the Petrofac Training Cup.

But they responded in style with a 4-1 win against Queen of the South as Robbie Neilson's men ensured they remain Britain's only unbeaten side in league action on Saturday.

Striker James Keatings gave Hearts a half-time lead. Although Iain Russell's early second-half penalty drew Queen of the South level, Wilson, back after six weeks injured, Prince Buaben and Adam Eckersley all struck for an eighth straight home win.

It keeps Hearts nine points clear of Rangers and Wilson admits a league winners' medal will be compensation enough for cup exits.

But Wilson told the Hearts official website: "The league and cup are totally different propositions for us.

"A run in the cup would have been great, but be left in no doubt the league is absolutely the priority for us. It's easily the most important thing. We want to win the league."

Hibs saw their promotion hopes suffer another dent as David McCracken got a last-minute winner for Falkirk to leave the Easter Road men 19 points adrift of Hearts.

The Bairns are now just two points behind Hibs after their 1-0 win.

Leith boss Alan Stubbs told Hibs TV: "Overall, I'm disappointed, but we need to remember we have been on a decent run and the most important thing now is that the team react in the right way and take it out on Alloa next week at home."