St Johnstone 2 Hearts 2

Date: 15/12/2012 KO: 15:00 Ref: W Collum Att: 2,974
St J'stone

Rowan Vine 16
Steven MacLean 60

2
2

Hearts

John Sutton 15
Andrew Driver 38

FT (ht: 1-2)

Hearts took the lead twice but ultimately had to settle for a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw with St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The visitors opened the scoring through John Sutton, and Andrew Driver gave them a 2-1 half-time advantage after Rowan Vine had levelled the scores.

Steve MacLean equalised after the break in a match filled with goalscoring opportunities and questionable defending.

Hearts set up in the same 4-4-2 formation that had proved so successful against Aberdeen last weekend. Any question that John McGlynn might have hesitated about implementing an attacking system away from home were dismissed by the patched up state of St Johnstone's rearguard.

Steven Anderson, Fraser Wright and Dave Mackay all missed out through suspension, with David McCracken returning early from injury to provide emergency cover.

The visitors' front two of Sutton and Gordon Smith had impressed in last week's 2-0 win over Aberdeen and they took to the action with relish. Within the first five minutes Alan Mannus was forced into a save from Smith.

Hearts would soon be rewarded for their quick start, taking the lead in the 14th minute. Driver's floated free-kick found Sutton who headed down and past Mannus from the left side of the six-yard box.

The lead, however, was short-lived. Two minutes later both Kevin McHattie and Marius Zaliukas failed to make proper connection with a cross from the right. The latter's attempted swipe resulted in the ball being hooked straight up into the air and onto the toe of Vine to tap home from two yards out.

Hearts should have answered four minutes after conceding their advantage but Smith floated the ball over the crossbar under pressure from McCracken.

It was a good chance but not as clear-cut as the opportunity Pawlett squandered on 27 minutes. The winger, on loan from Aberdeen, broke through the offside trap to run onto Vine's reverse through ball with only McDonald to beat. The Hearts keeper did well in parrying the shot, but with the whole goal to aim at Pawlett should have given him no chance.

Difficulty in dealing with routine balls into the box hurt St Johnstone again in the 38th minute. This time it was Ryan McGowan's long throw from the left that found Sutton's head in the penalty area where the goalscorer turned provider by flicking on for Driver to sweep home.

The lead should have been made comfortable five minutes after the restart. Driver's cross from the left was headed back by Sutton who found his strike partner alone in the centre of the penalty area. Smith elected to shoot first time and drove his volley wide of the post.

Pawlett then wasted another chance in what was almost a carbon copy of his first half opportunity. This time it was Murray Davidson springing the winger beyond the offside trap, but the same outcome occurred as McDonald parried away the shot.

From the ensuing corner MacLean saw his hooked effort from close range cleared off the line, but the hosts would not be denied for long.

Callum Davidson's switched long ball hit Murray Davidson perfectly in stride on the right wing. The midfielder, streaking into the box, rolled the ball across goal for MacLean to tap in.

With the momentum fully behind his team St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas introduced Gregory Tade for Pawlett and the striker almost had an instant impact.

On defensive duties Sutton inadvertently diverted the ball past his defence for Tade to run onto. MacDonald came out to block but lost the battle as Tade stumbled past the keeper and tried to prod the ball past the covering Hearts defenders. After a couple of ricochets it fell kindly for MacLean to finish into the empty net before Ryan McGowan appeared from nowhere to hoof clear.

Starting Formation: 4-4-2 cross
1
19 33 18 3
22 4 8 10
17 23

1. Alan Mannus
19. Gary Miller
33. Thomas Scobbie
18. David McCracken
3. Callum Davidson
22. Peter Pawlett 67
4. Patrick Cregg
8. Murray Davidson
10. Liam Craig
17. Steven MacLean
23. Rowan Vine 86

Subs

15. Jonathan Tuffey
9. Gregory Tade 67
11. Nigel Hasselbaink 86
14. Kevin Moon
16. Craig Beattie
26. Liam Caddis
43. Gareth Rodger

Starting Formation: 4-3-3cross
1
4 6 26 29
7 5 11
12 9 33

1. Jamie MacDonald
4. Ryan McGowan
6. Andy Webster
26. Marius Zaliukas
29. Kevin McHattie
7. Ryan Stevenson
5. Darren Barr 45
11. Andrew Driver
12. Gordon Smith 76
9. John Sutton
33. Callum Paterson 83

Subs

21. Peter Enckelman
14. Jamie Walker
16. Denis Prychynenko
18. Arvydas Novikovas 83
19. Dylan McGowan 45
32. Billy King
37. Dale Carrick 76

Live Stats

50 Possession % 50
6 Shots on target 4
2 Shots off target 6
15 Fouls conceded 10
4 Offside 0
6 Corners won 2
2 Yellow Cards 4
0 Red Cards 0

The final whistle goes and the game is over.

The ball is crossed by Andrew Driver, Thomas Scobbie manages to make a clearance.
92

Gregory Tade challenges Andy Webster unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the direct free kick.
88

The referee gives a free kick against Murray Davidson for handball. Free kick taken by Marius Zaliukas.
87

Nigel Hasselbaink joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rowan Vine.
86

Arvydas Novikovas crosses the ball, save made by Alan Mannus.
85

A cross is delivered by Andrew Driver, John Sutton takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.
85

Arvydas Novikovas is brought on as a substitute for Callum Paterson.
83

Dale Carrick concedes a free kick for a foul on Thomas Scobbie. David McCracken restarts play with the free kick.
79

The ball is sent over by Ryan McGowan, John Sutton produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.
78

Gregory Tade is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Dale Carrick on for Gordon Smith. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
76

Rowan Vine crosses the ball, Ryan Stevenson manages to make a clearance.
76

Gregory Tade takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jamie MacDonald.
75

A cross is delivered by Ryan Stevenson, clearance by Gary Miller. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Andrew Driver, clearance by Liam Craig.
74

Murray Davidson concedes a free kick for a foul on Dylan McGowan. Murray Davidson receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.
73

The ball is crossed by Gary Miller, clearance made by Andy Webster.
71

Rowan Vine produces a cross, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance. Peter Pawlett goes off and Gregory Tade comes on. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig from the right by-line, clearance by Andy Webster. Corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig, Callum Paterson manages to make a clearance.
67

Murray Davidson has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the target.
64

Peter Pawlett challenges Kevin McHattie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Peter Pawlett goes into the referee's book. Kevin McHattie restarts play with the free kick.
63

Gary Miller sends in a cross, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.
62

Unfair challenge on John Sutton by Murray Davidson results in a free kick. Kevin McHattie takes the free kick.
61

Steven MacLean finds the net with a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. St Johnstone 2-2 Hearts.Assist on the goal came from Murray Davidson.
59

Liam Craig fouled by Ryan McGowan, the ref awards a free kick. Ryan McGowan is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed left-footed by Liam Craig, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.
58

Steven MacLean concedes a free kick for a foul on Andrew Driver. Andrew Driver takes the direct free kick.
56

Peter Pawlett takes a shot. Save made by Jamie MacDonald. Corner taken by Liam Craig from the left by-line, Steven MacLean takes a shot. Kevin McHattie gets a block in.
54

The ball is delivered by Liam Craig, clearance made by Kevin McHattie.
54

Right-footed shot by Callum Paterson went wide right of the target.
53

Andrew Driver receives a caution for dissent.
52

Unfair challenge on Patrick Cregg by Ryan Stevenson results in a free kick. David McCracken restarts play with the free kick.
49

Gordon Smith has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
49

The second half begins.

Dylan McGowan replaces Darren Barr.
45

The match has reached half-time.

Darren Barr booked for unsporting behaviour.
44

Unfair challenge on Andrew Driver by David McCracken results in a free kick. Ryan Stevenson restarts play with the free kick.
43

Corner from the right by-line taken by Liam Craig, Header on goal by David McCracken from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.
41

Marius Zaliukas concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven MacLean. Free kick crossed left-footed by Liam Craig, clearance by Ryan McGowan.
40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Callum Paterson by Callum Davidson. Free kick taken by Andy Webster.
38

Andrew Driver gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. St Johnstone 1-2 Hearts.Assist by John Sutton.
37

Gordon Smith fouled by Thomas Scobbie, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Andrew Driver from right wing, save by Alan Mannus.
35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Thomas Scobbie on Gordon Smith. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Andrew Driver, save made by Alan Mannus.
35

The ball is sent over by Gary Miller, save by Jamie MacDonald.
33

The referee blows for offside against Rowan Vine. Kevin McHattie restarts play with the free kick.
31

Callum Paterson concedes a free kick for a foul on Patrick Cregg. David McCracken restarts play with the free kick.
29

The referee blows for offside. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
27

Peter Pawlett takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
26

Gary Miller delivers the ball, Andy Webster makes a clearance.
26

Callum Davidson fouled by Gordon Smith, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Thomas Scobbie.
25

Corner taken by Liam Craig, Murray Davidson challenges Jamie MacDonald unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
24

Callum Paterson challenges Patrick Cregg unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gary Miller.
22

The ball is swung over by Gordon Smith, blocked by Patrick Cregg. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Andrew Driver.
21

Gordon Smith has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
19

Free kick awarded for a foul by John Sutton on Callum Davidson. Free kick taken by Callum Davidson. Patrick Cregg gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson. Free kick taken by Ryan Stevenson.
18

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Patrick Cregg by Kevin McHattie. Caution for Kevin McHattie. Direct free kick taken by Gary Miller.
17

Callum Paterson fouled by Callum Davidson, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Andrew Driver.
16

Rowan Vine finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. St Johnstone 1-1 Hearts.Assist on the goal came from Gary Miller.
15

Patrick Cregg challenges John Sutton unfairly and gives away a free kick. Andrew Driver restarts play with the free kick, John Sutton finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty box. St Johnstone 0-1 Hearts.Assist on the goal came from Andrew Driver.
13

Shot from just outside the box by Callum Paterson misses to the right of the target.
11

The offside flag is raised against Steven MacLean. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.
8

Gordon Smith takes a shot. Save made by Alan Mannus.
6

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kevin McHattie by Steven MacLean. Marius Zaliukas restarts play with the free kick.
5

Ryan McGowan produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left.
2

Andy Webster fouled by Steven MacLean, the ref awards a free kick. Marius Zaliukas restarts play with the free kick.
2

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Webster by Steven MacLean. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
1

Corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig from the right by-line, clearance made by Andy Webster. John Sutton challenges Murray Davidson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Patrick Cregg takes the direct free kick.

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

Taken from sportinglife.com