Hearts won the big early kickoff with Rangers, extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Championship to nine points, and Hibernian went level with third-placed Queen of the South after a win away at Dumbarton.
Rangers were dealt a blow when Steven Smith was sent off for a high challenge on Callum Patterson, but despite being down to 10 men continued to look threatening in the first half, Bilel Mohsni and Lee Wallace both coming close.
The home side made their man advantage count just before the hour mark when Jason Holt latched on to a rebound, lashing it in from the edge of the box.
The hosts put the points beyond doubt shortly after Ian Black bundled Jamie Walker down in the box, leaving the midfielder to fire the ball in from the spot.
Three goals in seven first-half minutes from Scott Allan, Dominique Malonga and Paul Hanlon began a thriller at Dumbarton, with Malonga adding a fourth in the second period.
Garry Fleming added to goals from Christopher Kane and Andy Graham to set up a tense finish to the day, but Hibs hit back with Samuel Stanton and Dominique Malonga completing his hat-trick to make it 6-3.
Results in full: Hearts 2-0 Rangers, Alloa 2-3 Falkirk, Cowdenbeath 1-0 Livingston, Dumbarton 3-6 Hibernian
Phil Archbold
