St Mirren v Heart of Midlothian

Hearts battled back from a goal down at half time but left New St. Mirren Park today with only a point from this tough 1-1 encounter.

Graham Carey gave the home side the lead with a 'goal of the season' effort from a long range free-kick but Marius Zaliukas levelled things for Hearts minutes after the restart. The point extends Hearts lead over St. Johnstone to three points but with Saints holding a game in hand.

Hearts were forced into one change from the side that started last week's 4-1 defeat by Rangers. Laryea Kingston missed out through illness but the side was bolstered by the return of Andrew Driver from injury after he suffered a reaction to his long suffering knee injury. Gus McPherson's side started with the same 3-5-2 formation that worked so well the last time the teams met in the League Cup Semi Final but Scott Barron and Craig Dargo missed out through injury.

In the opening exchanges both teams tried but failed to get a strangehold of the game and little of note happened in the first 20 minutes. High balls to the forwards from the back or looking to knock the ball down the right flank seemed to be the tactic from on both sides and in the end the teams just cancelled each other out.

During this period Suso Santana was the only player who threatened to do anything special and five minutes in the Spaniard had the chance to add to his brilliant strike against Rangers last week but his shot from 20 yards drifted wide of the goal.

The home fans were largely subdued at the start but they were awoken on 26 minutes when Graham Carey's free-kick stung the palms of Jamie McDonald who could only turn the shot behind for a corner. And from the resulting set-piece Hugh Murray picked up a loose ball in the box to lash a shot inches wide of McDonald's right hand post.

The match then started to show signs of life with the away side displaying their best football of the half and created two chances in a encouraging ten minute spell.

First David Obua showed more determination than anyone else in the penalty area to rise highest to meet an Andrew Driver corner from the left. The Ugandan met the ball at full speed but his attempt to head the ball down was too successful as he knocked the ball down directly in front of him and it bounced over the crossbar.

Then Gary Glen showed predatory instincts and a great first touch to create some space for himself on the left hand side of the box but his shot, under pressure, blazed high over the bar.

With the minutes ticking down to half time St. Mirren then took the opportunity to impose their dominance on proceedings with Hearts struggling to get out their own half at times. Although it did seem like it would take something special to break down the solid Hearts defence.

And something special did arrive, even though it has to be stated that 'special' may not even come close to describing Graham Carey's free-kick thunderbolt on 44 minutes.

St. Mirren's left-wing back had been denied minutes before when a 25 yard effort from the centre of the park was brilliantly turned round the post by the Hearts goalkeeper. But Carey would not be denied.

The Celtic loanee unleashed an unstoppable effort that flashed past the crowded penalty area and McDonald before crashing into the top left hand corner of the net. The speed and power displayed in the shot was stunning and it must have travelled close to 40 yards.

There was little in Hearts' play that reflected their recent performance against Hibs and the battling first half display against Rangers and, amongst some choice language, you have to be pretty sure Jim Jefferies reminded them of this at half time. That's because two minutes into the second half Hearts were level.

Suso picked up a loose ball following a corner on the left and used his pace to enact some maroon revenge on Carey. The wing-back slipped trying to track Suso who then advanced into the penalty area and fired in a perfect cross for Marius Zaliukas to head home.

Instead of inspiring Hearts the goal lifted both the home side's team and fans as St. Mirren pressed forward in a bid to re-take the lead.

On 58 minutes Michael Higdon dispossessed Lee Wallace on the right before sending a high ball over the defence that was knocked on by Billy Mehmet into the path of Steven Thomson. The midfielder's shot was goal-bound but deflected over the bar thanks to a last ditch challenge from Eggert Jonsson.

Five minutes later Hearts were again thankful for a kind deflection as Andy Dorman's header was knocked wide after the midfielder found some space at the back post.

The game was being played at a frantic pace and was becoming to get heated but that atmosphere was quashed as the match had to be stopped for a couple of minutes due to a clash of heads between Ian Black and Steven Thomson.

The knock to Black meant he had to be substituted but with 15 minutes of the game remaining his replacement, Craig Thomson, almost answered Carey's effort with a stinging strike of his own.

The youngster found space 25 yards out before steadying himself and taking aim at Paul Gallacher's top left hand corner. The shot had the pace and the accuracy but Gallacher was equal to it as he turned the ball behind at full stretch.

It began to appear as the game went on that the teams were a little nervy of changing things rather than going for the win. Both managers waited until the last ten minutes to make the majority of their substitutes and with the play being broken up with the stoppages it appeared a winner would never come.

Then came a breathless injury time period in which both teams created chances to snatch all three points.

First Michael Higdon was denied by another terrific stop from MacDonald as the keeper got down sharply to deny the striker after the target man created a chance for himself from 12 yards following a Buddies' breakaway. From the resulting corner Chris Innes also had a great opportunity as he rose highest at the back post but he could only power his header wide under pressure from David Obua.

Hearts then went right back down the other end of the park and it was the turn of Paul Gallacher to be at his best as he had to tip a close range, looping Calum Elliot header over the bar. Hearts failed to find a winner from the resulting corner and the sides had to settle for a deserved point a piece.

St Mirren: Gallacher, Innes, Mair, Potter; Ross (O'Donnell 84), Dorman, Thomson, Murray, Carey; Higdon, Mehmet (Loy 82). Subs not used: Howard, Brady, McLennan, Johnston.

Hearts: MacDonald; J Thomson, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Wallace; Suso, Black (C Thomson 75), Palazuelos, Driver (Templeton 85); Obua, Glen (Elliot 87). Subs not used: Ridgers, Nade, Elliot, Mulrooney, Robinson. Booked: J Thomson

Referee: Iain Brines

Top man: Suso Santana

Hearts World