St Johnstone 1 Hearts 2

The contest came to life in the 19th minute when Hearts broke out of defence and hit St Johnstone with a hammer blow on he break.

Steve Fulton released Stephan Adam on the right and his cross was met by former Dundee striker Hamilton who headed past Alan Main.

The goal breathed life into a game that had given their 5,836 spectators little to get excited about.

Saints almost got back on level terms shortly after Hearts opener when left back Callum Davidson crossed for Roddy Grant to head narrowly over.

Northern Ireland international Danny Griffin hobbled off after 35 minutes to give Saints a headache in defence.

The setback appeared to spur Saints on who immediately launched another attack when O'Boyle turn on shot was blocked by McManus for a fruitless corner.

Captain Alan Main was kept busy at the other end when he parried over a Steve Fulton piledriver shortly before the break.

Hearts striker Hamilton wasted a glorious chance to put the game beyond Saints. But the game threatened to boil over and St Johnstone defender Stuart McCluskey was booked following an incident with Ardem, who was then booked himself for an elbow. John McQuillan joined them in the book.

On the hour Mark McCluskey was unfortunate to see his header come back off the bar and Grant blasted the rebound over.

Hearts dangerman Hamilton bagged his second goal of the afternoon in 65 minutes when he headed home a Salvatori cross. It was an action replay of his opener with Main once against getting a hand to the header but unable to prevent it hitting the net.

Substitute Steven Tosh gave Saints a lifeline when he hit a low shot passed Rousset from the edge of the box.

O'Boyle almost snatched a point for Saints when his volley from the edge of the box flew inches over the bar.

Philip Scott set up Roddy Grant in the final minute but his shot on the turn was saved by Rousset and Saints' last chance to save a point had gone.

Teams:

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Davidson, Sekerlioglu (Farquhar 77), McCluskey, Griffin (Tosh 35), Scott, O'Neil (O'Halloran 82), Grant, O'Boyle, Preston.

Booked: McQuillan, McCluskey.

Goals: Tosh 70.

Hearts: Rousset, McManus, Pointon, Weir, Salvatori, Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Hamilton (Robertson 86), Cameron (Locke 55), Adam.

Subs Not Used: Frail.

Booked: Adam.

Goals: Hamilton 19, 65.

Att: 5,836


Taken from sportinglife.com