This Valentine's Day date was awkward at best.

There were long, uneasy periods of silence but Jamie walker was rewarded for making the first move with a fortuitous goal five minutes before the break.

For all the visitors' flirtatious behaviour, they left Tynecastle heartbroken and with nothing to show for their effort.

Hearts moved a huge 20 points clear of city rivals Hibs at the summit but Robbie Neilson's side were far from at their best, with Livingston aggrieved that they did not at least secure a draw.

"With Rangers getting beat it adds a bit of pressure because we know it's a fantastic opportunity to add another three points," admitted Neilson, who left Sam Nicholson on the bench after the winger picked up a much-publicised facial injury in last weekend's win at the Energy Assets Arena.

"There was added pressure with that but we've come through it and it gives us an extra cushion.

"We were quite lucky to get the three points. But once the season is done and if we do get to the title, no-one will care how we picked up the three points."

Livingston's gritty performance ensured that this was an uncomfortable afternoon for Hearts and the majority of the 15,463 crowd.

Jordan White went close for the basement outfit in the ninth minute when the striker's goal-bound half-volley from 25 yards was pushed behind by the outstretched finger tips of goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

The hosts responded moments later when Walker created an opening for himself following a marauding run.

After spinning away from Nejc Preprotnik - was later ordered off - in the centre circle, Walker played a one-two with Genero Zeefuik and nut-megged Calum Fordyce but his low left-footed effort from inside the area was forced over by goalkeeper Darren Jamieson.

The visiting shot-stopper then kept out further efforts from James Keatings and Walker.

But Walker was not to be denied second in the 40th minute as he gave the hosts the lead with a huge slice of luck.

After taking a heavy first touch on Adam Eckerley's pass, Declan Gallagher's attempted clearance ricocheted off the midfielder and Walker calmly rounded Jamieson before finding the net.

But home side did not have it all their all their own way after the break. Livingston were given encouragement from Hearts' disjointed performance.

Alexander was called into action to tip Craig Sives' powerful header over the bar from a Burton O'Brien free-kick.

The nerves among Neilson's side were palpable at this stage and even after Livingston midfielder Praprotnik was shown his second yellow card in the 74th minute for a cynical foul on Prince Buaben, Hearts still looked rattled.

The hosts actually should have added more goals in the dying stages but both Genero Zeefuik and Billy King both wasted decent openings.

"They had a couple of chances at the end but at times I thought Hearts were running out of ideas," said Livingston player manager Mark Burchill.

"They didn't know how to get through us and we've caused them problems as well."

Heart of Midlothian (4-4-2): Alexander; Paterson, Wilson, Ozturk, Eckersley; Walker Anderson (King 46), Pallardo, Buaben; Zeefuik (Oliver 90), (Keatings 68)

Substitutes not used: Gallacher, El Hassnaoui, Nicholson, Oliver, McGhee

Booked Keatings, Ozturk, Pallardo Livingston (4-4-2): Jamieson; Fordyce, Sives Gallacher, Ky Jacobs; Ke Jacobs, O'Brien(Glen 70), Praprotnik, Mullen (Beaumont 87); White, Sekajja (McKenna 82)

Substitutes not used: Walker, Hippolyte, Pittman, Rutherford

Booked: Sekajja, White, Praprotnik

Sent off: Praprotnik

Referee: Alan Muir

Attendance: 15,463