Hearts 1 Saints 1

From RONNIE MacKAY at Tynecastle
IT wasn't Francisco Sandaza's day.

On form with seven goals in seven games and 15 goals so far this season, he was supposed to be St Johnstone's main man coming to Tynecastle.

But the Spanish ace just forgot his shooting boots.

Luckily, Cillian Sheridan came off the bench to rescue ten-man Saints in the 77th minute and take the Jambos to a replay after David Templeton's 10th-minute opener.

But the Irish striker said: "Fran is always getting noticed for goals but we saw a different side against Hearts.

"He worked his socks off up front on his own in the first half.

"He can be allowed an occasional miss — you certainly can't blame him with all the goals he has scored for us.

"It was one of those days where it didn't really come off for him in front of goal but he provided the pass for me and had an impact in the goal.

"We didn't give him stick for his misses as he doesn't take it too well."

Saints looked dead an buried when they were reduced to ten-men in the 74th minute when Dave Mackay was sent off for his second yellow card.

The Perth side were raging at the dismissal with the second booking for a high tackle when Mackay caught Templeton on the arm.

And Sheridan added: "I thought it was pretty harsh and it is just how you interpret dangerous play.

"When you go down to ten men, it is going to test your team's spirit — but our team spirit has never been an issue.

"When we went down to ten men, we had to dig in deep and that is when we really came together. I am really pleased how we reacted."

Saints had started the game brightly and won a corner within 60 seconds but Steven Anderson couldn't get a full connection on Liam Craig's corner.

The Jambos didn't take too long to get into their stride and Ryan McGowan bolted down the right and struck a low shot which forced keeper Peter Enckelman to save low.

And they didn't have to wait much longer for the opener when Templeton fired them into the lead.

McGowan fed the 23-year-old, who made his trademark cut inside, and struck a low shot past Enckelman.

Templeton continued to cause havoc and after driving at the Saints defence, he teed up Scott Robinson but the midfielder fluffed his shot.

Sheridan came on at the break for David Robertson and that made a huge difference.

Within 60 seconds he floated in an accurate cross for Sandaza, but when it looked easier to score, he got too much height on it and struck the bar.

The pressure was relentless as Saints pushed forward and David McCracken headed over from Craig's corner.

Hearts needed some respite and when they did get up the pitch they were denied a penalty when Mackay handled in the box.

Sandaza just couldn't find his form in front of goal and when Lee Croft played a great cut-back for him into the box, he miscued.

Then Mackay, who had earlier been booked for dissent, saw red in the 74th minute for his second yellow when he clattered Templeton.

But Saints got the equaliser with a brilliant strike from Sheridan who beat the offside trap from Sandaza's through ball to level matters.

Sheridan added: "We battled well and had a few chances to even win it.

"It is maybe a bit greedy looking for the win but we will get confidence."

The replay will now take place on Valentine's Day at McDarmid Park.