Miko magic rescues Hearts

Nobody deserved to win this game, although any highlights package will probably show St Mirren in the ascendancy, as they had the most clear-cut chances. Hearts lost ground on Hibs, Falkirk and Aberdeen but demonstrated a spirit not in evidence for much of this tortuous campaign. Saul Mikoliunas's low effort saved a point, after Jim Hamilton had volleyed the home side ahead.

It was an uninspiring opening to the game, both teams finding their feet. Tentative early efforts from the strikeforce of Elliot and Mole failed to alarm Chris Smith and the Buddies caused a scare when Maxwell's goalbound header was blocked by Christophe Berra's chest. The good folk of Paisley tried to convince Mr Collum it was actually Christophe's arm, to no avail.

St Mirren keeper Smith didn't convince his own supporters, or his defence, of his merits when he did not deal with Lee Wallace's delivery, prompting a wee scramble in his box. Eventually he grasped the loose ball, knocking over his own centre back in the process, but it was shaky stuff.

Apart from this, goalmouth action was in short supply, good passes from Miranda and Barron eventually being wasted. Hamilton was guilty of going down too easy right on the edge of the penalty area and fooling Mr Collum into awarding a free-kick. Had Miranda scored from his effort, there would have been an inquiry, so we're grateful he blasted over.

Andrew Driver escapes the challenge

Miko had looked lively, despite the occasional boos from the Love Street faithful. He didn't endear himself to them when his attempted overhead kick on the edge of the box caught Potter squarely in the face. It was accidental, but nasty, and the end of the afternoon for Potter. He was stretchered off to applause from all ends of the ground, and with everyone's best wishes. Veteran Andy Millen replaced him.

Barron attempted to be clever in midfield and was dispossessed easily. Mole drove at goal, played in Driver, whose first touch took it away from him. Nonetheless he managed to get away a stab at goal, which was well blocked by Smith, who also saved well when Karipidis headed at goal from the resultant corner. It was the end of Driver's afternoon though, presumably injuring himself as he stretched for the ball. Cesnauskis entered the fray.

Andy Dorman took advantage of a midfield misunderstanding, attempting to race through on goal. He was quickly crowded out and had to unleash his effort from 30 or more yards. It was decent, but over the bar and never troubling Banksy. Pretty dull really, like the first half in general.

Not so the start of the second. Mole cut in from the right hand channel, avoiding defenders' legs beautifully. He made out to cross but instead rolled the ball across to the edge of the 'D' where Elliot's ferocious left foot strike was brilliantly tipped over by Smith. Easily the best moment of the match, not equalled by Miko moments later when, horrendously off balance, he elected to shoot miles over rather than play in either of the two strikers who were tearing up turf alongside him.

Jamie Mole battles for the ball

Palazuelos gratefully seized on Dorman's slip and curved a through-ball to Elliot. He was pushed wide by Millen and the resultant shot was off target. Stewart replaced Jonsson on 57 minutes and almost immediately we lost a goal (nothing to do with Mickey though). A ball into the box was completely not dealt with by Karapidis, who failed to realise that there was someone behind him. It dropped to ex-Jambo Jim Hamilton who rifled in a left-foot volley, skimming off the surface. Banks did well to get a hand to it but only succeeded in diverting it into the corner.

Calum Elliot wasted two good chances in the space of a minute, when he first fell over despite being ahead of the defence - this followed a really good pass from Robbie Neilson - and then shooting over from an angle. The game could have been over in the 70th minute when Dargo and Dorman completely unlocked the Hearts defence, allowing Dorman straight in. His volley hit the post and bounced out, to the general relief of the visiting faithful.

The scores should have been level in the 75th minute, some wonderful link-up play between Beniusis, Elliot, Miko and Stewart ended when Mickey put in a low shot that beat Smith and went agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

We have to be honest and say we were writing the obituary. A poor performance etc., losing to an even poorer team. Things like that. But Miko changed all that. Picking up the ball out the box, a couple of horrendous touches looked to have killed the chance. But his low left-foot effort crept inside the post, leaving Smith stranded.

Jamie Mole

In the final stages, St Mirren should have won it - twice. Poor defending from Karapidis allowed Dorman a shot which was brilliantly parried by Banks - Mehmet squandered the rebound. And Karapidis again was at fault for allowing Dorman a clear run at Banks; thankfully the shot was just wide. Not great, not vintage, probably not enough on a day when Hibs, Aberdeen and Falkirk all won. But hey, nobody from Hearts was booked, and it's not often we say that.

St Mirren: Smith; Van Zanten, Mason, Potter (Millen, 29), Dorman, Maxwell, Dargo (Mehmet, 82), Hamilton, Miranda, Barron, McGinn (Murray, 76). Booked: McGinn, Miranda, Smith. Subs not used: Howard, Kean, Corcoran, Docherty.

Hearts: Banks; Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Wallace; Mikoliunas, Jonsson (Stewart, 57) Palazuelos, Driver (Cesnauskis, 37); Mole (Beniusis, 66), Elliot. Subs not used: Basso, Thomson, Ksanavicius, Zaliukas.

Referee: Willie Collum

Top man: Saulius Mikoliunas

Hearts World