St Johnstone 1 Hearts 0: May day call for Tynecastle side as Wright's men continue to find answers

THE good times keep on rolling for St Johnstone.

Undefeated in three Europa League matches and with a great chance of making the play-off round, Tommy Wright's side served notice that European commitments would not mean a dereliction of their domestic duties.

The scoreline meant the game remained in the balance until the very end but there was little doubt that St Johnstone were well worthy of this opening day league victory, even if profligacy in front of goal meant Hearts retained hope right up until the final whistle. The main source of disappointment for the home side would have been that their fans accounted for only around 2500 of a crowd of 6174. More, surely, will venture out on Thursday when St Johnstone take on FC Minsk in the return leg, knowing that avoiding defeat will take them through to a possible glamour tie in the next round.

Despite their midweek jaunt to Belarus, the Perth side looked the more energised and dangerous of the two, down in no small part to the sprightly figure of Stevie May. The striker had to settle for a substitute's role in the first leg against Minsk and, if there was any lingering frustration about that decision when he took to the field yesterday, the 20-year-old put it to good use during his 73 minutes on the pitch. It was of little surprise that he scored the only goal of the game after 25 minutes, even if there was a hint of controversy about it. It was a fine finish from May, collecting the ball on the edge of the Hearts penalty box before arrowing a shot past Jamie MacDonald and into the far corner. Referee Steven McLean consulted his assistant Graham McNeillie on whether David Wotherspoon, who was in an offside position, had impeded MacDonald's view before allowing the goal to stand.

"His goal was typical of him because he likes drifting in between centre-halves and full-backs, likes running at people and cutting inside," said Wright. "He just loves scoring goals. I'm really pleased for him, it was a great strike. Long may it continue for him as he's someone I rate very highly."

Here was confirmation that this could be a long season for Hearts. Starting on -15 points as a punishment for going into administration, manager Gary Locke had hoped for a positive start as his side look to narrow the gap on the rest of the pack as quickly as possible, understandable given it had taken them until November 17 last season before they had accumulated the total required to offset their deficit. They got little change, however, out of a well-drilled St Johnstone side and created very little in attack. The prospect of a home derby against struggling Hibernian next weekend, however, should mean Hearts' heads won't likely be down for too long.

Seeing out the season may be achievement enough for the Tynecastle club. They remain on the precipice, hovering precariously between administration and liquidation, and at the mercy of creditors in Lithuania who will ultimately decide their future. The imposition earlier in the week of a registration embargo, meaning they cannot sign players over the age of 21 until February, was a further setback, leaving Locke with little choice but to push on with the youthful group at his disposal. In the matchday squad he named yesterday, only three were older than 22, with Ryan Stevenson the most senior figure at 28. With a bench that didn't have a single player over 20 years old, Locke's resources will be truly tested when the inevitable injuries and suspensions kick in, although for now youthful exuberance will likely sustain them.

Backed by a raucous 3500-strong travelling support, Hearts did not stint in terms of endeavour, although there was little in their play to greatly trouble Alan Mannus in the St Johnstone goal. Stevenson had a long-range effort that was easily saved before Callum Paterson dragged an effort well wide, both in the first half, but beyond that it was a lot of huff and puff with no end product. "It was a frustrating day," said Locke. "We can certainly play better than that. There wasn't a lot of quality and we lost a poor goal as well. We wanted to eat into [the 15-point gap] quickly but one thing is for sure: we'll not feel sorry for ourselves. We have another cracking game next weekend and it's a game we will have to pick up points in."

By half-time St Johnstone's lead could have been greater. Both chances came from set plays and fell to Steven Anderson, the defender's header from Wotherspoon's corner brilliantly saved by MacDonald, while a second chance from a Tam Scobbie free-kick drifted over. The second half followed a similar pattern; St Johnstone dominating without making the most of their superiority, Hearts offering tenacity and bite but little in the way of sustained pressure.

MacDonald looked unconvincing as he juggled a Wotherspoon free-kick around his post for a corner but was far more impressive two minutes later when May's blocked shot fell for Steven MacLean, only for the goalkeeper to repel the striker's diving header from close range. When Paddy Cregg's shot then cleared the crossbar, it began to look as if St Johnstone may yet pay for their wastefulness. Hearts, though, were unable to take advantage.

Taken from the Herald