Queens battled well but suffered a second half rout as Hearts made it 15 games unbeaten in the Championship.

The Jambos looked like they would run away with the game after James Keatings opened the scoring with a stunning strike but Iain Russell`s second half penalty dragged the Doonhamers level. Danny Wilson and Prince Buaben sealed the points for Robbie Neilson`s side with two goals in 10 minutes before Adam Eckersley inflicted more pain by making it 4-1.

Queens were up against it facing the league leaders - and the only unbeaten team in Britain this season - following a 3-0 loss to the Jam Tarts at Palmerston in October. 

However, James Fowler made changes to the Scottish Cup side which dismantled Brora Rangers last weekend with Clark, Kidd and Dzierzawski entering the fray on a chilly day in the capital.

But Hearts were never going to give Queens a free pass and they came out all guns blazing and Callum Paterson should have opened the scoring within ten minutes. Buchanan linked well with the right back who was through one on one with Clark but he failed to test the `keeper and blasted wide. 

Keatings stepped up to the plate next for the Jambos but his audacious effort sailed well over the bar. In the opening stages, Queens were on the back foot in front of the 15,000 bumper crowd. 

Queens did threaten Neil Alexander`s goal on the 15 minute mark when Holt latched on to a McShane corner but the 21-year-old`s header drifted over the bar. 

Queens started to edge their way in to the game and Higgins almost opened the scoring but he didn`t connect properly with McShane`s free kick. And as cruel a game football can be, when Queens started to look dangerous Hearts took the lead.

Keatings blasted the ball over Clark and raced off to celebrate his fifth goal of the season. A long ball forward allowed the striker to race on to the ball and give the hosts the lead. After this, Hearts threatened to run away with the game.

Keatings beats Clark with a superb strike

Paterson tested Clark, as did King and Buchanan - the Doonhamers had Clark and Holt to thank for keeping them in the game. But when Referee Craig Charleston pointed to the spot for an alleged foul in the box, the travelling support feared the worst. However, the woodwork denied Buaben as his penalty sent Clark the wrong way but the `keeper had earned some luck with his previous saves. 

Barring a few bad challenges and a mini-scuffle on the pitch, the rest of the first half went off with little incident! Whistler Charleston blew his whistle for half time - one of the few times Queens fans were happy to hear it.

Queens started the second period a lot more energetic and McShane tried to claw Queens level with a ferocious shot unleashed from 25 yards, a shot which Alexander failed to hold on to. Hearts cleared the danger but it wasn`t long before the midfielder was testing the former Rangers `keeper - this time with a free kick drilled right at Alexander.

However, it was McShane who once again caused problems for Robbie Neilson`s side and when he was clipped in the box and the referee pointed to the spot, Queens had a chance to get back in the game. Russell stepped up and emphatically smashed home his penalty. 

McShane is fouled and a penalty is awardd

Russell strikes the penalty kick

Kidd congratulates Russell on the goal

And the Palmerston side were unlucky not to take the lead after Higgins header was cleared off the line. The defender thundered the ball toward goal and a combination of Alexander`s gloves and a melee of players denied Higgins a huge goal.

At the other end, against the run of play, Hearts took the lead again through Wilson. The captain returned to action and scored his second goal of the season with what looked like a very fortunate header. The former Liverpool man didn`t seem to know much about it but the Hearts corwd in attendance didn`t seem to mind.

Queens looked for a response and Lyle almost found an equaliser when his volley was fired inches over the bar. 

But with 15 minutes to go, Buaben put the game out of sight and sealed the points for the host. The midfielder waltzed past the defence and found the bottom corner superbly, leaving Clark no chance and Queens empty-handed.

Eckersley`s neat finish made it 4-1 with ten minutes to go in a scoreline which is harsh on the Doonhamers.

With Hibs losing 1-0 to Falkirk, Queens remain in third place in the Championship, ahead of this Friday night`s Palmerston clash with Rangers.