St Johnstone 2 Hearts 1

Fran Sandaza ensured it got off to the perfect start with a spot-kick winner against Europa League rivals Hearts.

The Spaniard struck in 76 minutes after Jambos kid Jason Holt and Perth ace Murray Davidson traded goals in the first half.

Hearts were left raging by the award, but Sandaza ignored all the fuss to expertly convert.

Saints will now head to Inverness in midweek and victory there would give them a three-point cushion over Dundee United.

That would also take a bit of pressure off Lomas' in-form side going into next Sunday's trip to Celtic.

Saints were worth the win, but it was a game too much for Paulo Sergio's jaded Jambos.

His players — still without their March wages — have gone above and beyond the call of duty with back-to-back wins over Hibs and St Mirren.

But they had nothing left in the tank and Sergio — missing several key men — looked on frustrated.

One bright spot for Hearts was the performance of midfield sensation Holt.

For years, the Hearts teen prodigy has been mentioned as the next big thing in Scottish football.

Judging by the 60-plus minutes he put in here, that might the case.

Holt carries the look of a young Barry Ferguson and grabbed a cracking opener.

Hearts had suffered a massive pre-match blow when Craig Beattie failed a fitness test.

Beatts took a ribbing from his team-mates as he did a few laps before 2pm.

But it was no laughing matter as he failed to even make the bench.

Rudi Skacel, Jamie Hamill and Ian Black were among the subs as Sergio rang the changes.

That meant a first start for highly-rated Holt, 19, who was given a free role.

Saints boss Lomas was minus hamstring victim Callum Davidson and brought in ex-Jambos veteran Alan Maybury.

Cillian Sheridan was also back from suspension and resumed his SAS partnership with Sandaza.

On a weekend of huge matches across Scotland, this was as tasty as any.

The two sides are locked in a three-way battle with United for two Europa League spots.

Saints were also out for revenge after being dumped out of the Cup by Hearts last month. Holt showed his class early on with a volley that soared over. The teenager was up against wily veteran Jody Morris and the Englishman's stinging drive was held by Jambos keeper Jamie MacDonald.

You could immediately sense how much was at stake as neither side opted to take any risks.

Clearances were booted long and high. Every loose ball was fiercely contested.

MacDonald had a scare midway through the half when he sliced a clearance and he almost scored an own goal.

The Jambos made the most of that let-off as Holt grabbed a memorable opener in 29 minutes.

Ryan McGowan dug out a superb cross and the youngster planted a composed eight-yard finish past Alan Mannus.

Big questions were being asked of Saints, but they responded well.

Sandaza came into the game and Davidson's late runs were always a threat.

It was no surprise that the equaliser came from the lanky midfielder in 35 minutes.

Lee Croft whipped in a cross and Davidson steered a clinical volley past the helpless MacDonald.

Saints could even have gone in ahead at the break.

Croft was again the creator, but Marius Zaliukas cleared his inswinging cross as Sheridan hovered at the back post. Hearts keeper MacDonald didn't appear for the second half — with Mark Ridgers coming on for his competitive debut.

Saints seemed to sense blood as they raised the tempo immediately.

Sandaza ran 60 yards and had a shot deflected over by Andy Webster.

Strike partner Sheridan then let fly from 20 yards, but his shot skidded wide.

Hearts' lone striker Gary Glen began to look more and more isolated as the half wore on.

The Jambos struggled to break Saints down and Darren Barr was way off target with an ambitious 30-yarder.

Holt started to tire and Sergio hooked him midway through the second period for Suso. Sergio would probably have taken a point at this stage, but there was a final twist.

Sandaza was sent crashing in the box by Zaliukas' trailing leg and ref Steve McLean pointed to the spot.

Danny Grainger was booked for his protests and the Spaniard had to wait an age to take the kick.

But he was the calmest man in Perth as he casually chipped in from the spot for his 16th of the season.

Andy Driver headed wide and Glen hit the post in injury time for Hearts, but Saints held on bravely for a massive win in the chase for a European spot.