Jambos suffer second away defeat in five days.

From Hearts Media at McDiarmid Park

Hearts suffered a second defeat in five days in Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at McDiarmid Park, as Cillian Sheridan's brace sealed a 2-0 victory for St Johnstone.

Sheridan put the hosts ahead on the half hour mark after a fine assist by Francisco Sandaza sent him clean through on goal. The two then combined again shortly after the interval to seal the victory before a crowd of less than 3,000 in Sunday's early kick off.

Sergio restored a host of regulars to the side following the midweek Cup exit at the hands of Ayr United. With the exception of Andy Webster, replacing Eggert Jonsson, the team was unchanged from their last league outing at home to St Mirren.

Both sides came into the game on the back of midweek defeats, yet their league form has been far more encouraging. Hearts were looking to make it six games without defeat, whilst the home side were unbeaten in four and full of confidence following their emphatic 3-0 win at Fir Park last weekend.

The steady run of form was evident as both sides looked assured during the opening exchanges. Ryan Stevenson's twenty yard drive narrowly cleared Peter Enckelman's crossbar, whilst Chris Millar's effort from an almost identical position came within inches of finding the top left corner.

A Liam Craig free-kick on twenty minutes forced Jamie MacDonald into action, yet neither side were able to fashion a breakthrough despite a relatively equal share of possession.

The Saints slowly picked up the pace, however, and took the lead on the half-hour mark when Sandaza released Sheridan with a defence splitting pass. The ex-Celtic striker latched onto the ball inside the box before lifting it over MacDonald to net his first goal of the season.

The Irishman was on hand again five minutes later as he found space inside the Jambos penalty box before laying it off to the surging Liam Craig. But Craig, with the goal at his mercy, scoffed his side footed effort wide of the left post.

The Jambos, despite enjoying the occasional spell of silky passing moves, struggled to breach a resilient Saints backline. Adrian Mrowiec got on the end of a Stevenson corner on the stroke of half time, but his headed effort crashed wide of Enckelman's left post.

Hearts emerged for the second half having made one change, as Andy Webster made way for David Templeton. The youngster started on the left flank whilst Mrowiec partnered Marius Zaliukas in central defence.

Sergio's men started the half with plenty of attacking intent, and could have levelled the scores had Stevenson managed to get a foot on a cross which flashed in front of him six yards from goal.

Instead the play switched to the opposite end of the park, where Jamie Hamill's missed interception allowed Sandaza to play Sheridan through on goal. The striker made no mistake as he calmly rounded the keeper to slot the ball into the empty net, claiming his second goal of the afternoon.

Hearts responded by introducing another striker in the shape of Gordon Smith, with David Obua making way as the Jambos appeared to alternate between three and four up front. The Saints, however, looked assured from back to front as Hearts struggled to get a foothold on the game.

Sergio introduced another attacking player with twenty minutes to go as Scott Robinson took the place of Stephen Elliott, and the Gorgie men came close to clawing one back shortly after.

Templeton's attempted volley from twelve yards was scuppered but fell to Stevenson who, with his back to goal, flicked a header which forced Enckelman into a reflex save which caused the ball to trickle along the line before being cleared to safety.

Set pieces proved to be their greatest threat throughout, but their performance was summed up when Stevenson re-directed a Grainger free kick in injury time straight into the arms of the keeper.

Referee Stevie O'Reilly brought proceedings to a close seconds later, with Hearts now having to regroup ahead of next Sunday's match against Celtic at Tynecastle.

St.Johnstone: Enckelman; Mackay, Anderson, Maybury, McCracken; Millar, Craig, Moon, Gibson (D.Robertson 72); Sheridan, Sandaza(Haber 84). Subs not used: Mannus, Higgins, Durnan, May, McIntosh.

Hearts: MacDonald; Hamill, Webster (Templeton45), Zaliukas, Grainger; Mrowiec, Black, Obua(Smith 63), Taouil, Stevenson; Elliott(Robinson 71). Subs not used: Balogh, Novikovas, Jonsson, Skacel.

Referee: Stevie O'Reilly

Top man: Adrian Mrowiec

Hearts World