St Mirren 2 Heart of Midlothian 0

From Hearts Media at St Mirren Park.

Hearts crashed to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against St Mirren in Paisley today. Despite having the bulk of possession, the Saints came away the victors thanks to goals from Jim Goodwin and Lewis Guy.

The Jambos made two changes from their last match with Ryan Stevenson and Andrew Driver replacing John Sutton and Dale Carrick, and the boys in maroon started the brighter of the teams.

Two chances fell to Callum Paterson, playing up front today. The first was a header after some nice wing play from Ryan McGowan found Arvydas Novikovas at the far post, and his cut back was put over the bar. Then, from the goal kick the ball once more found Paterson but Craig Samson got down well to save his effort.

St Mirren then had their first attack. A fine cross from van Zanten found McGowan unmarked but his free header was all wrong as it drifted harmlessly wide. The midfield play was sorely lacking as both teams struggled to make any incisive moves.

That was until Novikovas broke through into the St Mirren penalty area. The Lithuanian beat Samson to the ball but Paterson - with the goal gaping - somehow hit a defender with his shot as the ball was diverted wide.

Suddenly, St Mirren took the lead. With no imminent danger, Jim Goodwin unleashed a 40-yard shot which caught out Jamie Macdonald to give St Mirren the lead. The goalie will be disappointed with his part in the goal.

The shock of falling behind was obviously still affecting Hearts as the second half began, as Steven Thompson waltzed through the middle of the Hearts defence and squared it to Lewis Guy to make it 2-0 after some poor marking.

With their lead safe, St Mirren started to pass the ball about nicely while Hearts could make no impact despite introducing Sutton and Carrick to the pitch, and the game died as the home side could sit on their lead content in the knowledge the game was safe.

A highly disappointing result for John McGlynn's men as his side are now six without a win, and languishing near the bottom of the table.

Top Man: Arvydas Novikovas

St Mirren: Samson, McAusland, Carey (Teale 55), Van Zanten, Mair, McGowan (Imrie), McLean, Thompson (Parkin), Guy, Dummett, Goodwin. Subs not used: Smith, Robertson, Barron, Reilly.

Hearts: Macdonald; Grainger, Zaliukas, Webster, R. McGowan; Taouil, Barr (Sutton 64); Novikovas, Stevenson, Driver (Carrick 73); Paterson. Subs not used: Enckelman, McHattie, D. McGowan, Robinson, Nicholson, Carrick, Sutton.

Referee: Calum Murray

Hearts World