Buddiesfullydeserved a share of the spoils
Justice was seen to be done at a gloomy Tynecastle where the Premiership’s bottom-placed side battled for another point.
Oran Kearney’s men had looked to be heading for a controversial defeat after Clevid Dikamona’s first goal for Hearts, a rocket of a header from Olly Lee’s corner kick, had put the home side in front.
Controversial because television evidence suggested the Congolese should have had a penalty awarded against him in the first half.
He was clearly in his own area when he stuck out a leg to halt the progress of Duckens Nazon by sending the Haitian tumbling to the ground. Referee Don Robertson, well positioned to make the call, ruled that although there had been a foul, it took place just outside. The cameras disagreed, showing it to have actually been on the line – something Dikamona later admitted – and therefore should have been a spotkick. That was harsh on Saints who very much reinforced the good impression they made in the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie last weekend.
However, they got the rewards their endeavour deserved when Sean Clare rose to clear Kyle Mcallister’s corner only to instead send it flying past his own keeper Zdenek Zlamal.
The Czech was in the side in place of Colin Doyle whose blunder cost Hearts against Motherwell last week but although this was without doubt another calamity, this time no blame could be apportioned to the man between the sticks.
And just like that the Paisley side got what they had been striving for all afternoon.
Pretty much from kick-off they worked to the edge of the Hearts penalty area from where Greg Tansey flashed a shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Nazon also looked keen cutting in from the left before curling a shot just over the crossbar. The Haitian’s composure let him down, though, when he fresh-aired Paul Mcginn’s cutback with the goal at his mercy.
The home side, unsurprisingly perhaps given they had won nine of the previous 10 home Premiership games against St Mirren, were full of attacking intent too.
Steven Naismith forced Saints keeper Vaclav Hladky to make a good save with a snapshot on the turn from Jake Mulraney’s ball in from the left.
His fellow striker Uche Ikpeazu should have done better when picked out in great position by Sean Clare’s cross with his header from close-range yards wide of the intended target.
It was a similar story in the late action as they chased a victory with some decent build-up play ruined by sloppy play in the final 18 yards. And as the minutes petered out, the grumbles of dissent in the stands grew louder and louder.
Hearts boss Craig Levein shared their discontent. “I am disappointed, frustrated: all those kind of things,” he said.
“St Mirren did what they came to do. They did it to Aberdeen last week and they have done it to us today so all credit to them.
“We need to do better.” St Mirren for their part will head into March with growing belief in their ability to string together a run that can ensure their survival.
“I’m confident we will do it,” said Kearney. “I see this group improving week in, week out in terms of the quality and to how they’ve raised the standard.
“It’s so important we build on that and keep moving in the right direction.”