Hearts 0 St Johnstone 1

Jan 12 2011 By Gordon Parks

SUPERSUB Peter MacDonald repaid Derek McInnes for sparing him from the scrapheap as he fired the late winner that secured a shock success over Hearts.

The Perth striker – relieved to be handed a new six-month deal by boss McInnes on Hogmanay – made the most of his lifeline by slotting home four minutes from time to line up a fifth-round tie against Falkirk or Partick Thistle.

It was the only memorable moment of a dismal evening and Jambos can have little complaint at being dumped out after missing chances and lacking a
clinical edge.

Defeat quelled the surging optimism in Gorgie that suggested a Scottish Cup run could be added to Hearts’ record of 10 wins and a draw from their last 12 games.

The unbeaten streak stretched back to October and consistency of selection had been key to their resurgence but manager Jim Jefferies opted to tamper with the line-up that enjoyed a derby win over Hibs in their last match.

Out went David Templeton for Arvydas Novikovas, Ryan Stevenson came in for the injured Rudi Skacel while Stephen Elliott replaced Calum Elliot.

Saints have racked up decent form of their own with just one defeat in five games and Murray Davidson joined Colin Samuel as the only additions to the side that beat Inverness, with MacDonald and Cleveland Taylor making way.

The decision by Hearts to close the Wheatfield Stand after St Johnstone’s failure to agree to reduce prices ensured an eerie backdrop to a clash rescheduled due to burst pipes three days earlier.

It was the Perth side who started with a sense of purpose as Davidson’s run at the heart of the defence in the opening minute was only brought to a halt by a clearing tackle from Ismael Bouzid.

But Jambos’ ability to turn defence into attack at breakneck speed was illustrated in the 13th minute as Stevenson raced on to a Kevin Kyle flick before dragging his shot inches wide.

Kyle won a wrestling match with Michael Duberry inside the area seconds later only for his shot to be blocked by Danny Grainger and swept to safety.

In 18 minutes a speedy Hearts break again almost brought an opening goal as Novikovas ran clear on the left after Adrian Mrowiec’s through ball but the Lithuanian drilled a shot past Peter Enckelman’s left-hand post.

Saints were only managing sporadic attacking moments which were being negated by Samuel’s infuriating habit of failing to keep himself onside.

Once again Jefferies’ men had joy down the left flank as Ruben Palazuelos swept over a deep cross on the half hour and Kyle rose to bullet a low header that slid wide of the target.

The pressure continued to mount and Grainger earned the first caution after a cynical pull on Ian Black’s jersey.

Saints registered their first attempt just before the break with Sam Parkin’s turn and shot from 20 yards that fell wide. It fuelled their belief and they should have broken the deadlock seconds later.

A Chris Millar cross from the right found the head of Samuel who couldn’t get any purchase on his header from six yards, allowing Jamie MacDonald to make a comfortable stop.

Saints kept the Hearts players waiting for the restart but were the first to spring into attack when another Millar delivery from the right found no takers.

There was little to ignite a crowd of 6261 who were being subjected to an uninspiring night in the capital city.

The visitors were gifted an opening in the 54th minute as Hearts allowed a Jody Morris free-kick to reach the unmarked Dave Mackay who lacked the finishing instinct to take advantage as he nodded an effort past the far post.

Morris then went into the book for hauling down Stevenson and from Black’s dead ball Grainger headed over his own bar under pressure from Elliott.

Hearts revamped their line-up two minutes later with Kyle being replaced by David Obua and Templeton
introduced for Black in an attempt to break the war of attrition.

But Saints were again rueing a missed opportunity as Samuel broke clear inside the box after a terrific through ball from Davidson only for the striker’s poor touch to close down the angle and his effort was held by MacDonald.

Next it was Hearts’ turn to pass up what was the golden chance of the game with Elliott sliding in a cross from the left that Obua somehow steered over the top from four yards out.

Saints threw on Steven May for the misfiring Samuel in the 70th minute and the striker showed his menace with a run and shot that beat MacDonald but sneaked the wrong side of the post.

The 18-year-old added energy and invention to the visitors’ attack and another twisting run in 76 minutes was brought to an end by a last-ditch challenge from Eggert Jonsson as the youngster prepared to pull the trigger.

All of a sudden the urgency was transferred to the Perth side and with just six minutes left they finally snatched the lead as Hearts fell apart at the back.

Marius Zaliukas failed to deal with a hopeful punt into the box by Davidson and MacDonald was allowed a second chance to size up the chance and beat his namesake in the home goal with a low shot that crept under his body.

It was to prove the game's decisive moment as Saints had keeper Enckleman to thank for a superb one-handed stop from Elliott at the death.

HEARTS – MacDonald, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Bouzid, Palazuelos, Black (Templeton 58), Mrowiec, Stevenson, Kyle (Obua 56), Elliott, Novikovas (Elliot 75). Subs not used: Kello, Thomson.

ST JOHNSTONE – Enckelman, Mackay, Duberry Anderson,Craig (Maybury 88), Morris, Millar, Davidson, Samuel (May 70), Parkin (MacDonald 77) Subs not used: Smith, Caddis.

Referee – Iain Brines.

Taken from the Daily Record