The Scotland international had been commended for his displays in the World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Norway and he grabbed a brace at Almondvale to extend the Jambos’ lead at the top of the table to five points.

Rudi Skacel continued his own excellent goalscoring form with his sixth goal in as many games while defender Andy Webster also headed home.

Livingston striker Paul Dalglish offered a consolation for the SPL bottom club on the stroke of half-time.

But Hartley rattled home a penalty in the 63rd minute after Neil Barrett fouled Jamie McAllister to maintain the Jambos’ 100% record.

Hearts signalled their intent after just 30 seconds when skipper Steven Pressley headed McAllister’s cross past the post.

But the tone was set and there followed some incessant Hearts’ pressure.

There was no real surprise when Skacel grabbed the almost inevitable opener.

In the 11th minute, Roman Bednar found space on the left after good work by his Czech team-mate in the build-up.

Bednar crossed accurately to the back post where Hartley headed back across the six-yard box to give Skacel an easy opportunity to equal Henrik Larsson and Derek Riordan’s record of six goals in successive SPL games.

But the Czech still has work to do to equal former Celtic forward Mark Viduka’s haul of 10 successive SPL matches.

The second goal came in the 27th minute after Emmanuel Dorado’s foul on Bednar on the right earned the Almondvale defender a yellow card.

McAllister sent over an in-swinging free-kick and Webster had the simple task of heading past the unprotected Roddy McKenzie.

A fine save by Craig Gordon at his left-hand post prevented Dave Mackay’s 25-yard drive reducing the deficit.

But, in the 33rd minute, Hearts carved open the Livi defence and a cross from Bednar again gave Hartley the chance to slide the ball past McKenzie from six yards.

A rout was on the cards now as the shell-shocked home players found themselves under severe pressure.

But, in the final minute of the half, Dalglish did pull a goal back when he knocked the ball into the net from close range after Neil Barrett’s 20-yard free-kick was fumbled by Gordon.

After the break, Hearts set about replenishing their three-goal advantage.

But Livingston, buoyed by their goal just before the interval, came close in the 52nd minute when Barrett headed wide after a fine cross by Derek Adams.

Two minutes later, a last-gasp challenge by Jambos’ full-back Takis Fyssas prevented Dalglish grabbing his second from 10 yards out after the Livi striker had sprung the unconvincing offside trap.

In the 63rd minute though, the visitors grabbed their fourth goal from the spot after Neil Barrett had tugged McAllister’s shirt to prevent the former Livi player getting to a Hartley cross.

The Scotland international stepped up to send McKenzie the wrong way.

It was plain sailing now for the Gorgie side but Gordon was called upon once again in the 79th minute to save from Adams after slack play by McAllister.

But the SPL leaders played time out comfortably and went off the park to the cheers of their increasingly hopeful supporters.