Hearts attacker looking the part, rash decisions from experienced Hibs ace, defender who defines Tynecastle woes, huge blow for Bonnyrigg - this weekend's winners and losers

WINNERS

Conor Washington (Hearts)

A forward who went over five months and 12 games without scoring now has two goals in the space of a week after the Northern Irish international slid home the equaliser for Hearts on Saturday. He should also have had an assist in injury-time but could only watch as Steven Naismith failed to complete a perfect role-reversal of Hearts’ first goal as he inadvertently blocked his own attempt with his standing foot. Aside from the goal (and near assist) Washington was impressive for the second consecutive game. His work rate in attack makes him well-suited to Daniel Stendel's high-pressing system, while his ability to run the channels and selflessness in the final third helps to create opportunities for his fellow attackers.

Jamie Gullan (Hibs)

There weren't a lot of positives for Hibs fans walking out of Pittodrie on Saturday, but at least the latest youngster to come through the ranks looked at home in the club's starting XI. He showed quickness, dynamism, had some clever off the ball movement and wasn't afraid to run with the ball. It wasn't a classic performance by any means, but he wasn't overawed by the occasion and displayed enough to suggest he's worth a few more opportunities between now and the end of the season. And with Hibs' hopes of finishing in Europe all but gone (unless they win the Scottish Cup) then this should give supporters something to keep a close eye on.

Danny Handling (Edinburgh City)

City returned to winning ways at the weekend after going three games without a victory in Ladbrokes League Two. The 3-0 victory over Albion Rovers was an important result, even if their chances of lifting the title look all but dead after falling 10 points behind leaders Cove Rangers. Edinburgh are still by far and away the second best team in the league and they need to get some momentum going into the play-offs. Helping them to rediscover their mojo this past weekend was Handling. The former Hibs man netted his 13th goal of the season to put the game to bed against the ten men of Albion shortly after the hour mark. The 26-year-old has been in terrific form this campaign, continually linking midfield to attack in James McDonaugh's system and providing a consistent goal threat from deep.

Penicuik Athletic

Athletic are into the third round of the East of Scotland League Cup after an impressive 3-1 home victory over league leaders and holders Bo'ness United. Twenty points separated the sides in the league table prior to this past weekend, but the hosts were able to come out on top, eventually winning the tie after extra-time.

LOSERS

Craig Halkett (Hearts)

Days after an immense performance at Easter Road, Halkett came back to earth with a bump as the defender was massively responsible for Motherwell opening the scoring at Tynecastle, a goal which ultimately cost them two points in their fight against relegation. In many ways, the defender has personified Hearts this season. He came with a big reputation and fans were expecting a lot from the outset. Instead, performances have dipped below these expectations for the majority of the campaign, though he's still capable of bringing out a complete masterclass from time to time. Oh, and he's spent a significant period out of the team with injury.

Steven Whittaker (Hibs)

His behaviour at the weekend was more akin to a teenager trying too desperately to make an impression, not a typically level-headed veteran playing in his 17th season as a first-team regular. The lunge on Lewis Ferguson that brought about the second yellow was wild and needless, but more deserves to be made of the first booking, where he sprinted over to throw himself into the Aberdeen player near the halfway line just after Hibs had scored to put themselves 1-0 up. These moments of madness combined to send Hibs down to ten men and they collapsed from there.

Jack Ross (Hibs)

The Hibs manager has suffered through a tough week as a run of three league games without victory has dealt a potentially fatal blow to Hibs' chances of finishing in the European places in the Ladbrokes Premiership table. In fact, they now face a battle to even finish in the top six with St Johnstone continuing their fine form ahead of the meeting between the two sides at Easter Road this coming Saturday. In isolation, the Aberdeen result was forgivable considering the red card and the assured performance the away side put in prior to that point. But coming off the back of the derby defeat it didn't do anything to brighten morale among the Easter Road faithful.

Bonnyrigg Rose

The Rose's title hopes are hanging by a thread after a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Civil Service Strollers at the weekend. This disappointment came after last weekend's defeat to Kelty Hearts in a top-of-the-table clash, with the two results combining to leave Bonnyrigg five points behind in the title race. While it may not seem like the biggest gap – especially with the two teams still to play each other again – the fact that Kelty have dropped only five points all season would suggest that Barry Ferguson's men should be considered heavy favourites to play in the League Two play-offs.