Hearts stretched their lead at the top of the Scottish Championship to 16 points with a 4-1 win at Alloa.

Miguel Pallardo opened the scoring after just five minutes with a screamer from 25 yards.

Stephen Simmons hit a post for Alloa before Hearts grabbed their second through James Keatings, who turned smartly before firing home in the 12th minute.

Keatings was denied by the woodwork before the interval when his free-kick came back off the crossbar, and Greig Spence pulled one back for Alloa with a header on the hour.

But five minutes later Jamie Walker restored the two-goal lead when he raced clear and tucked the ball beyond home keeper Craig McDowall, and Callum Paterson grabbed the fourth by nodding in Billy King's corner with a minute to play.