Ten-man Hearts fans stood to salute their favourites after their backs-to-the wall performance to earn a 2-0 victory over St Mirren and move six points clear of the chasing pack in the William Hill Premiership
Goals by skipper Lawrence Shankland (pictured) after 60 minutes and second-half substitute Tomas Magnusson 20 minutes later did the damage but The Buddies had the ball in the net twice. Both efforts were judged to be offside.
The 18,140 fans inside Tynecastle witnessed a gutsy display and the Premiership pace-setters now move on to a Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup tie with Falkirk at Tynecastle on Saturday (kick-off 20.00).
Earlier, Blair Spittal started for Hearts along with Harry Milne with new signing Islam Chesnokov on the bench and the home side dominated the early exchanges but were unable to penetrate the St Mirren defence.
Beni Baningime was the first player to be logged in the referee’s book for a high challenge on Roland Idowu in midfield and the referee was advised to go to his pitchside monitor and Kevin Clancy reached into his pocket for a red card. Time 14min.
He made the long walk to the tunnel leaving Hearts down to ten men for the second match running.
Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, barked instructions from the touchline as The Buddies gained momentum, forcing the home side back, but the Gorgie Ultras upped their noise to lift the players.
Idowu sent a right foot shot from the left hand edge of the Hearts’ box into the Jambos net, evading the diving Craig Gordon, but the goal was disallowed as the Irish midfielder was offside.
Hearts broke and Alexandros Kyziridis won the ball near the centre circle and sent it left to Milne. He drove forward and then crossed into the six-yard area but Braga sent his shot wide.
Seconds later Braga latched onto a defensive error from Richard King and scooped the ball just over giving the home fans hope. The Ultras raised their voices as Hearts dug in and Blair Spittal cleaned up as the ball was floated into the box at the Gorgie End.
Gordon had to deny Mikael Mandron as The Buddies upped the action and a sliced shot from Alex Gogic was deflected into the path of Idowu. Gordon makes a one-handed stop but the ball rebounds to Milne and enters the net via the former Patrick Thistle player’s chest. VAR intervened and offside confirmed so Hearts breathe again.
Stewart Findlay had to intervene, sending the ball for a corner, as Hearts struggled to keep Saints at bay with Declan John trying to get Idowu in.
Former Livingston goalkeeper, Shamal George, was a spectator at the Roseburn End but a three-man move involving Milne, Kyziridis and Braga resulted in a corner which failed to test George but the goalkeeper had to act when Kyziridis robbed St Mirren defender Oisin Smyth.
The Greek forward advanced and found himself one-on-one with George. The ball rebounded from the goalkeeper to Braga and his effort was blocked by George. A moment of real concern for the visitors.
Overall, Hearts had the better of the chances despite being one short but St Mirren carried a threat with Idowu in particular.
The Men in Maroon were the first to threaten in the second-half, Milne working a slick one-two and then racing down the left. He involved Shankland and Kyziridis who shot for goal but the ball was deflected.
Hearts struck and Shankland’s first-time finish broke the deadlock after 60 minutes with Spittal providing the assist after a one-two with Kyziridis.
Gogic then had a chance to level when he rose on the six-yard line to nod wide from a corner on the left by Declan John. This really should have been netted.
McInnes rang the changes with Jamie McCart, Magnussion and Pierre Landry Kabore coming on for Spittal, Kyziridis and Braga and minutes later Shankland made way for Frankie Kent as Hearts aimed to hold onto their slender advantage.
And Hearts fans were on their feet after 79 minutes when Magnusson headed home. The Iceland-born midfielder robbed a St Mirren defender then slipped a reverse pass to Milne. His shot was parried by George and the ball lobbed up into the air. Magnusson did the rest.
He wheeled away, arms raised, to celebrate and Hearts were two clear of their rivals. St Mirren were stunned.
As the clock ticked down the fans sang: “We shall not be moved.”
St Mirren probed but the Maroon wall held firm.
There was disappointment late on as Cammy Devlin thumped the floor in despair after a heavy tackle in midfield from Killian Phillips early in injury time. He had to be helped off. Jordi Altena replaced him as the fans stood to applaud the battling Aussie.
Seconds later Gordon pulled off a fine stop to deny a volley from Phillips from close range and it was all over, brave Hearts earned three points after playing 75 minutes a man short.
