St Mirren is traditionally a tough place for Hearts to visit and the Capital club again found it a huge task to keep physical St Mirren at bay with goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow forced to make some outstanding stops.
The Buddies also lacked real quality in the final third and that deficiency could of cost them until English-born defender Miguel Freckleton rose from a ruck of players to power home a header from a Declan John set-piece inside the final two minutes.
The newly-crowned Premier Sports Cup winners had dominated the William Hill Premiership fixture and desperately needed a victory to kick-start their season again and the Paisley side were worthy of their victory leaving Hearts to contemplate only their third league defeat if the season.
Earlier, Beni Baningime was restored to the team after suspension at the 8,000-capacity, SMiSA Stadium with Tomas Magnusson making way. Michael Steinwender was also in the starting 11 with newcomer, Jordi Altena, on the bench alongside Magnusson as Derek McInnes looked to improve their recent record in Paisley, one win in nine visits.
Stephen Robinson, on his 150th match in charge, made changes. He brought deadline day signing, Jacob Devaney, into the starting line-up after the Irishman, Manchester United’s under-21 captain, joined the club on loan, and Jayden Richardson, Declan John, Dan Nlundulu and Mikael Mandron also started.
And it was the home side who had the first chance, Gogic heading over after a free-kick on the left from John, and the league leaders countered with Kyziridis having a sight of goal but it was smothered.
At the other end, Mandron found himself unmarked on the left edge of the Hearts’ penalty area and his left-foot shot was sent to safety by Schwolow as Saints continued to exert pressure.
St Mirren’s pressure caused Hearts problems, the Tynecastle team finding it difficult to break out of their own half, and the visiting forwards had to live off scraps. It was Saints new signing, Devaney, who threatened next when he flighted a ball against the bar.
And Gogic raced to pick up a ball down the left from John before sending a teasing ball deep into the Hearts box. Schwolow clawed the ball to safety.
Disaster arrived after 28 minutes after a blunder at the back. Findlay ran into trouble when challenged by Mandron and Halkett appeared to have baled the former Kilmarnock man out, but lively Devaney powered in and the skipper brought the Irishman down.
Halkett was sent off after 30 minutes and will miss the Edinburgh Derby next week. The Buddies lined-up a free-kick in a central position on the edge of the Jambos box. Schwolow saved to his left but the ball fell to Mandron. The big striker’s shot hit Milne and Schweinder booted clear. An anxious few moments for Hearts.
Milne took over as skipper as McInnes ordered Kent to warm-up. Could ten-man Hearts find a way against an uncompromising side desperate for points?
Kyziridis was removed from the action and Kent took over the armband as Schwolow had to dive to his right to deny Phillips. Seconds later tempers fared as Kabore showed his frustration and was shown a yellow card.
Gogic then hit the post with a powerful header and the follow-up from Fraser ended in the net but the flag went up for offside, a relief for the struggling visitors who were failing to make any real impact, particularly in midfield with Baningime out muscled.
Three minutes of injury time were ordered and Milne was adjudged to have brought down Richardson at the left edge of the box. Referee McLean pointed to the spot but Beaton at VAR headquarters was called in.
The original decision was overturned, the incident adjudged to have been outside the box, however it was really close. John was over the free-kick and he went for glory but it flew inches wide of the far post with Schwolow a relieved man.
No score at the break but McInnes had plenty to think about but, at least, St Mirren had been unable to capitalise on their first-half dominance, but they had made it hard to the league leaders, and they continued to create chances at the start of the second session.
Schwolow was the centre of attention again early on, producing a reaction stop, making himself big to beat down a Mandron shot at the back post after a melee in the box.
Relief with the ball sent to the other end and Braga shot from outside the box but George got down to gather. The Buddies responded and Richardson’s shot was blocked by Findlay as they continued to push the Jambos back.
Hearts were rarely seen in attack but Milne and Braga worked a chance before it was blocked by Saints who broke and it was desperate defending from the Edinburgh club to dent another attack.
Milne cleared danger as Robinson prepared to make two changes, Devaney and Richardson off for McMenamin and Idow. Later ex-Spurs player, Etete, came on for Mandron.
McInnes had seen enough and Magnusson and Kabangu came on with Kabore and Baningime relieved of their responsibilities. Baningime looked shattered.
Saints have conceded goals late on several occasions this term and the Men in Maroon aimed to capitalise on that weakness, but eager Saints kept on coming and McEntee was floored bravely blocking a strong shot, the ball going for a corner.
More changes from the Saints boss, and McMenamin forced another big stop from Hearts’ German goalkeeper, the ball going for a corner. The ball flew high into the Hearts box and Freckleton leaped above Leonard to bullet the ball past Schwolow. Time 88 minutes. Game over.
SUBSTITUTE: Tomas Magnusson a late substitute for Hearts in their 1-0 defeat at Paisley. Picture Ian Jacobs
