It was a game of two-halves this afternoon at Tynecastle Park as Saints lost 2-1 to Hearts.
The hosts took the lead on 9 minutes when James Wilson fired home a first-time finish after being played through by Josh McPake.
Hearts continued to dominate proceedings and Toby Steward was called upon on numerous occasions, producing several excellent saves to keep Saints in the match. The pressure from the Gorgie side told as they doubled their lead with 6 minutes of the first half remaining. Laurent Mendy challenged for a Jordi Altena free kick with the ball taking a final touch off Enes Alić before finding the back of the net.
Saints though fought back in the second half as Ruari Paton pulled a goal back on 48 minutes, slotting a low strike beyond Beau Reus.
Saints went on to put the hosts under sustained pressure during the second half however, they couldn’t find an equaliser as the Jambos held on to secure all three points.
Saints are back in action on Wednesday evening as they head to Dens Park to take on Dundee, kick off 7:45pm.
MATCH REPORT
After a three-week break Saints returned to action this afternoon as they took on Hearts at Tynecastle Park. Simo Valakari made one change to the side which started the 1-0 defeat at St Mirren last time out as Matty Foulds dropped to the bench and he was replaced by new signing Enes Alić. Hearts qualified for the UEFA Conference League on Wednesday evening with a 4-3 penalty win against Rapid Vienna after the tie had finished 4-4 on aggregate after extra-time. Hearts Head Coach Wouter Vrancken made four changes to the side which started at the Allianz Stadion as Christian Borchgrevink, Tómas Magnússon, Sabah Kerjota and Laurent Mendy came into the starting eleven. They replaced Calvin Miller and Blair Spittal who dropped to the bench, whilst Jamie McCart and Tom Renaud missed out completely.
Ruari Paton got the match underway for Saints and the visitors created an early chance after 4 minutes as Jason Holt played in Jamie Gullan however, his effort hit the side netting.
Hearts though soon clicked into gear and on 7 minutes Christian Borchgrevink burst into the box, but Liam Smith was able to get back to knock the ball behind for a corner. Jordi Altena took the corner from the left and his deep delivery into the box was headed back across goal by Tómas Magnússon, picking out Laurent Mendy however, Toby Steward produced a brilliant reaction save to deny the French midfielder as Cheick Diabate knocked the ball behind for another corner.
Then 2 minutes later the hosts took the lead. Former Saints player Josh McPake intercepted a Zach Mitchell pass before playing the ball into the path of James Wilson and the young forward slotted a composed first-time finish beyond Steward.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler fends off Oisin McEntee
It was almost a quickfire second goal for Hearts on 12 minutes as Sabah Kerjota cut in from the righthand side however, the strike from the Albanian was comfortably gathered by Steward. Then 3 minutes later Kerjota got another sight of goal, but his curling effort was saved by Steward.
Hearts continued to apply pressure to the Saints goal as on 24 minutes Mendy unleashed a shot from 20 yards however Steward got down well to tip the ball around the post for a corner.
Saints began to get a foothold of the game and on 26 minutes Smith’s deep cross from the right picked out Gullan who had made a good run into the box however, he put his effort wide of the target.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining the Jambos were awarded a free kick in a promising position after McPake was fouled by Smith. The free kick was taken by Altena as he tried to find the top corner, but Steward got across his goal to tip the ball behind. From the resultant corner Mendy headed the ball into the net however, the goal was instantly ruled out by Ryan Lee as the midfielder had fouled Steward as he challenged for the ball.
PHOTO: Simo Valakari shouts instructions
Mendy continued to be involved in the thick of the action and the Frenchman played a big part as Hearts doubled their lead on 39 minutes. The hosts were awarded a free kick out wide on the left following a foul on McPake by Smith. Altena took the free kick as his deep delivery into the box was met by Mendy who looked to bundle the ball over the line however, the ball took a touch off Enes Alić before it crossed the line.
Hearts continued to create chances and on 43 minutes McPake burst into the box, but Steward produced another good save to turn the ball behind for a corner. Then a minute later Kerjota saw his curling effort from the right go wide of the far post.
Saints made a good start to the second half as they pulled a goal back on 48 minutes. A brilliant header from Sam Stanton split the Hearts defence and Paton showed his strength to hold off the challenge from Altena before slotting the ball beyond Beau Reus.
PHOTO: Ruari Paton scores for Saints
PHOTO: Ruari Paton celebrates his goal
Saints almost got an equaliser on 53 minutes as good play down the left saw the ball played to Alić who advanced forward before sending over a dangerous delivery into the box however, Stuart Findlay slide in to turn the ball inches past the post.
It was a much improved second half from Saints and on the hour mark they created another good chance as a brilliant through ball from Alić was gathered by Fowler after Reus had hesitated coming for the ball. The Saints forward held the ball up before cutting it back to Paton whose effort was saved by Reus.
On 68 minutes Altena cut across the byeline from the right, skipping past Fowler, before picking out substitute Pierre Landry Kaboré however, Steward produced another brilliant save to deny the winger as Saints then scrambled the loose ball away before Kaboré could connect with a follow-up effort. Then shortly after Blair Spittal unleashed a shot from just outside the box which smashed off the crossbar.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler is denied by Beau Reus
Saints then made a triple change as Macaulay Tait, Kai Fotheringham and Taylor Steven came on to replace Sam Stanton, Ruari Paton and Jamie Gullan.
The home fans were getting frustrated as Saints continued to search for an equaliser. On 76 minutes a cross from the left by Steven picked out Tait however, his shot deflected off Fowler as it went narrowly wide of the post.
Saints had Hearts on the ropes and with 7 minutes remaining Oisin McEntee fouled Fotheringham on the edge of the box. McAlear stepped up to take the free kick and his whipped effort was tipped over for a corner by Reus. Then 2 minutes later Alić sent over a delightful cross from the left which picked out Smith at the back post however, his header went agonisingly wide.
Despite being under pressure for large spells of the second half Hearts were still a threat going forward and on 89 minutes Cláudio Braga curled an effort over from 25 yards.
PHOTO: The travelling Saints support
There was 4 minutes of time added on at the end of the second half as Saints made another change with Logan Chalmers replacing Liam Smith.
Despite the pressure from Saints they couldn’t find an equaliser in stoppage time as the hosts saw the game out to secure the three points.
Hearts: Reus, Borchgrevink, McEntee, Braga, McPake, Findlay, Wilson (Kaboré 57’), Magnússon, Altena, Kerjota (Miller 81’), Mendy (Spittal 57’)
Unused Substitutes: Fulton (GK), Williams, Guendouz, Kamson-Kamara, Mato, Ba-Say
Booked: None
Scorers: Wilson (9’), Alic (39’ og)
Saints: Steward, Alić, Diabate, Mitchell, Holt, Fowler, Gullan (Steven 73’), Stanton (Tait 72’), Smith (Chalmers 90+2’), McAlear, Paton (Fotheringham 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Boyes, Mikulić, Foulds, Todd
Booked: None
Scorer: Paton (48’)
Referee: Ryan Lee
VAR: David Dickinson
Attendance: 18,714
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Cheick Diabate and Landry Kaboré
