No dream return for Jefferies at Perth

There was no dream return for Jim Jefferies in his first game back in charge against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.

Hearts were beaten by a home side eager to plus the gaps after losing seven goals in the last two matches. Kenny Deuchar struck the winner five minutes into the second half to condemn the visitors to a second successive defeat.

Of course there's nothing quite like the heady mix of sunshine, a terrific crowd and a vital football match to get the juices flowing.

But then this match had lot more than riding on it than that. This was a special day for Hearts as Jim Jefferies took charge of his beloveds for the first time in nine years.

And what a reception for the new manager, who's emergence from the tunnel was met with rapturous applause by a thrilled away end, who by full time had probably endured something of a reality check.

Hearts started the game reasonably brightly, with two orthodox strikers allowing Michael Stewart space to get involved in the game.

St Johnstone had the first serious chance of the game after 13 minutes following a quick-fire counterattack. Morrais switched for Millar who's early ball for Milne was spot on. The former Dundee man was in a perfect position 12 yards out but thumped his effort over the bar.

That prompted Jim and Billy to race from the dugout, the pair of them gesticulating in a way that would have warmed the cockles of the supporters. They responded with a chant of, 'One Jim Jefferies'.

Filipe Morais didn't really trouble Marian Kello seven minutes later, but his lashed effort was well dealt with by the Slovakian who dived to his left and held well.

New eras bring hope, rightly so, but this was a right huffy encounter. St Johnstone were edging it, and Hearts would have been concerned by an injury to Michael Stewart which required lengthy treatment from physio Rob Marshall. Fortunately he was able to return.

This was a half of very few chances, but St Johnstone enjoyed the best of the first period seven minutes before the interval. Murray Davidson fed Chris Millar down the right, who crossed in to Steven Milne. The former Dundee hitman headed over from close range. A let off.

Jim, Billy and Lockie certainly had work to do at half-time, not that anyone really doubted that after no real preparations that wouldn't be the case.

The second half started with a change in personnel, Andrew Driver replacing Marius Zaliukas, who was presumably injured. The switch saw Jason Thomson switch to

Hearts started the second half very positively, and had a terrific chance within a minute or so. Gary Glen had the chance in the area but fired over much to his own angst.

The home side responded well and Steven Milne, who had enjoyed all the key chances over the afternoon, fired across the face of goal through on the angle.

And the Saints hit the front after 51 minutes when Filipe Morrais drilled in a superb cross from the right for Kenny Deucher who turned home from close range, his first goal in two years.

Hearts sought to respond quickly, by now very stretched in terms of personnel. Substitute Marius Cinikas was next to tee up Christian Nade, but the superb delivery was spurned, the French forward nodding wide.

Gordon Smith replaced Gary Glen 23 minutes from time, and his first contribution was to try and snaffle a half chance in the area from a long diagonal Stewart ball. In the end he was harried out of the opportunity and Smith flopped on the ball.

In truth, Hearts were finding this tough going, which is no wonder given Jim Jefferies had not had a single training session with his new charges. He and Billy Brown continued to encourage the players from the touchline.

Andrew Driver who had seen little of the ball finally got his wish seven minutes from time when Thomson fed him. The England U21 teased Gary Irvine before curling in a glorious ball which Danny Grainger had to clear from almost under his own cross bar for a corner.

Two minutes later and Marian Kello gifted the ball back to Steven Milne who charged in down the left, before shooting across the face of goal. Sheridan latched on to the end of it, but cracked his shot off the outside of the post. A second goal would have finished it.

At the very end Hearts had a glorious chance to equalsier through Smith and Nade but their efforts were cleared off the line - it should have been 1-1 but instead it was defeat.

St Johnstone: Smith; Irvine, Mackay, Gartland, Grainger; Millar, Davidson, Moon, Morais (Craig, 77); Milne, Deucher (Sheridan, 67). Booked: Davidson, Gartland, Millar. Subs not used: Main, Sheerin, MacDonald, Anderson, Reynolds.

Hearts: Kello; Kucharski, Bouzid, Zaliukas (Driver, 46), Thomson; Obua, Jonsson, Stewart, Visconte (Cinikas, 51); Nade, Glen (Smith, 67). Booked: Stewart. Subs not used: Balogh, Witteveen, R Wallace, Mulrooney.

Referee: Euan Norris

Top man: Michael Stewart

Hearts World