At the same venue where their League Cup dreams expired earlier in the season, how costly might this league defeat be for Hearts in their championship chase?
Derek McInnes’ side lost Craig Halkett to a red card midway through the first half but then defended stoically to thwart a powderpuff St Mirren side who looked like they could play all night without scoring.
With two minutes to go, however, and with Hearts starting to harbour thoughts that a victory might not be beyond them, Stephen Robinson’s side finally broke through.
Declan John delivered the corner and Miguel Freckleton rose highest to thump a header past Alexander Schwolow who had threatened to earn his side a point with a number of vital saves, in the first half especially.
The roar that met the goal was that of relief as much as joy as St Mirren secured their first league victory in eight attempts to put a bit more daylight between them in their battle to avoid relegation.
For Hearts, a third Premiership defeat of the season – and their first since late December – will be wounding if not terminal to their title prospects, although both Rangers and Celtic will get the chance to trim their lead to three points on Wednesday night.
Craig Halkett is shown a straight red card as Hearts were reduced to ten men yet again
Derek McInnes watched his side pass up the chance to go nine points clear at the top
Losing another player to a red card naturally damaged Hearts’ prospects but, even with the full complement, this wasn’t quite the full-throttle performance we have come to expect from them this season. They will get the weekend off now before returning to take on Hibernian in a mouthwatering derby on Tuesday night.
St Mirren’s next mission takes them to Airdrie on Scottish Cup duty on Friday night but this was a hugely important win as they leapfrogged Dundee to move into ninth in the table.
Into this mayhem was pitched Jacob Devaney, the 18-year-old thrown straight into the home line-up after completing a loan move from Manchester United’s under-21 squad on deadline day.
It was an accomplished debut from the holding midfielder who almost embroidered a fine appearance with a goal, his cross drifting onto the top of the Hearts crossbar midway through the first half, while he was also heavily involved at the sending off. It was an impressive first outing.
Hearts, who restored Beni Baningime to their line-up following the midfielder’s two-game suspension, arrived in Paisley in buoyant form but conscious that this was a venue that over the years hasn’t been kind to them.
It was here that their League Cup adventure ended in August, while they had cause to give thanks for a favourable VAR call for helping preserve their undefeated league record back in October. Despite the home side’s woeful recent form, this was always going to be a thorough examination of Hearts’ title credentials and so it proved.
A frenetic first half flew by in a blur, 45 minutes of mayhem that provided everything but a goal as Hearts found themselves on the receiving end of some sustained St Mirren pressure. The visitors were given next to no time to settle on the ball as their hosts pressed them intensely. Hearts found themselves smothered in a black and white blanket.
Miguel Freckleton grabbed the only goal of the game with just two minutes left on the clock
Already struggling to make an impact on the contest, their prospects took another significant dip after 29 minutes when they had a player sent off for the third time in five league matches.
It was not a moment either Halkett or his defensive partner, Stuart Findlay, will recall with any great fondness. Findlay got himself in a fankle trying to deal with a simple defensive clearance and soon had Mikael Mandron for company.
The ball squirted across to Dan Nlundulu and, although the grounded Halkett initially did well to stop the striker, he then whipped the legs away from Devaney as the teenager looked to fasten onto the loose ball. It was just outside the box but denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and Halkett could have no complaints about the red card.
Schwolow had already made a smart save earlier in the game to deny Mandron and was again influential to push away Killian Phillips’ free-kick. Mandron was closed down before he could force in the bouncing ball.
The flow of the game continued towards the Hearts goal as St Mirren tried to end their recent scoring drought. Phillips had another ferocious effort well parried before the home players and supporters hollered for another Hearts red card after Landry Kabore went in late on Devaney. Referee Steven McLean settled for a yellow and VAR did not try to change his mind.
It began to look as if St Mirren were going to need external intervention if they were ever going to score and it seemed to arrive in the final minute of the first half.
Harry Milne was late into Jayden Richardson as the wing-back looked to burst into the box and a penalty was given. A lengthy VAR check, however, would arrive at the decision that the tackle had been outside of the box. No penalty. John’s free-kick whistled only just past the far post and a rollercoaster first half was finally at an end.
It was an important victory for St Mirren, who are looking to move away from the bottom
The second half began in similar fashion, although, having been beaten by 10-man Hearts just a month ago, doubts would have been starting to creep into St Mirren heads the longer they kept swinging away without finding the target.
Mandron took an eternity to get his shot away – allowing Shwolow to make another excellent save – and, with every passing minute that their clean sheet remained intact, Hearts’ confidence grew that they could steal away with a point or possibly more.
Claudio Braga had a shot saved in a rare Hearts attack, the Portuguese seemingly intent to carry the fight to St Mirren almost on his own. At one stage he found himself surrounded by six black and white shirts and still came away with the ball.
The last word, though, then went to St Mirren, Freckleton’s header settling matters and adding another twist to an already intriguing title race.
