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Hearts boss Jim Jefferies can only see positives at Tynecastle after his quest to claim third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League got back on track with a 2-0 win at Hamilton.

After a 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in their last outing, a Stephen Elliott double got the Jambos back on track to go 15 points ahead of fourth-placed Kilmarnock, who lost to Hibernian.

A comfortable win in Lanarkshire was achieved despite Jefferies being unable to call on strikers Kevin Kyle, Calum Elliot and David Obua, with Ryan Stevenson restricted to a bench appearance due to flu.

The former Killie boss is keeping his fingers crossed that he will have all four players fit soon to add to a squad which has been boosted by the recent return of Andrew Driver, who made another substitute appearance following his recovery from a thigh tear.

Jefferies had the added bonus of Scotland defender Andy Webster making his second debut for the club after re-signing on transfer deadline day.

"We have been talking about getting third place and it's 15 points which is a big gap," the Gorgie boss said.

"After that we can enjoy it because there is no pressure on us if we can't go any lower. If we achieve that early then it will be fantastic.

"Ryan Stevenson was unwell and couldn't make it but we decided to put him on the bench.

"Driver is short of match fitness, he needs to get 90 minutes but he is a quality player and I thought Webster looked as if he had never been away

"We will assess Kyle on Monday after he gets an injection (for groin injury), Calum Elliot (knee) should be back training next week, big Obua should be okay and Ryan Stevenson will shake off the flu."

Bottom side Accies are five points behind St Mirren but have a game in hand over the Paisley club.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid claimed that there had been no threat from the visitors until Elliott had headed the opener in the 22nd minute from a Lee Wallace cross, which was true.

However, there was little entertainment for the New Douglas Park supporters who have not seen their side win a home league game this season.

Consequently, a band of Accies fans in a crowd of 2,876 again showed their disgruntlement, especially at the break when the players were given stick as they headed down the tunnel after a first half in which the home side's defensive formation saw them simply surrender possession to Hearts.

While defender David Elebert admitted that the last thing the players need to hear was boos and jeers, Reid said: "When you are losing games at home you are going to get that from any supporters.

"I think they are pretty fair to be honest with you.

"We have not won a game at home and they are paying their money.

"They want to see a winning team and if they want to shout at me then no problem.

"But it was a wee bit disappointing when Marco Paixao comes on the park as substitute and there is a bit of huffing and puffing but I thought his attitude was brilliant."

Reid continued: "I am trying to take the positives out of the game. I thought we played pretty well in the second half.

"There are two schools of thought - it's easy to play when you are 2-0 down, or sometimes you can fold.

"But I thought some of our one-touch play was excellent.

"We have to go and win games and we certainly did try to do that in the second half."

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