Miguel Freckleton's late header saw St Mirren grab a richly deserved win over league leaders Hearts at The SMiSA Stadium.
Saints dominated the proceedings, but couldn't find a way past Alexander Schwolow who put on an inspired show in the Hearts goal. Just as it looked like the Buddies would have to settle for a point, defender Freckleton bulleted home a header in 88th minute to ensure all three points remained in Paisley. Stephen Robinson's men have now moved up to ninth place in the William Hill Premiership with our first league victory since December.
The manager made five changes from Saturday's 0-0 draw with Dundee. Deadline day signing Jacob Devaney made his debut after signing on loan from Manchester United yesterday. Jayden Richardson, Declan John, Dan Nlundulu and Mikael Mandron also came in with Scott Tanser, Tunmise Sobowale, Roland Idowu and Kion Etete dropped to the bench, while Jake Young missed out through suspension.
Saints started brightly with an unmarked Alex Gogic heading a John free-kick over on three minutes. Schwolow was called into action for the visitors 10 minutes later as he made his first big save of the match. John drove in from the left and saw his deflected strike fall nicely at the feet of Mandron. The forward got his shot away but saw the Jambos shot-stopper get two strong hands behind it to push away.
Devaney impressed on his debut, showing maturity beyond his 18 years. He almost broke the deadlock on 23 minute when his dangerous crossed almost looped in at the far post. Four minutes later, Gogic almost did similarly with his cross-cum-shot tipped over by Schwolow.
Jacob Devaney impressed on his debut (Image: Allan Picken)
Hearts were reduced to 10 men as the game approached the half hour mark. Brilliant pressing from Mandron saw him steal the ball off Stuart Findlay deep in the Hearts half. Nlundulu wrestled with Craig Halkett for the ball and the ball fell for Devaney who was about to race clear on goal. He was scythed down by Halkett who was given his marching orders for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. A VAR check confirmed the decision. Killian Phillips took the resulting free-kick 20 yards from goal, seeing his effort pushed away by Schwolow. Mandron couldn't force home on the follow up. Phillips tested the goalkeeper again on 38 minutes with a long-range shot that was once again saved.
The Buddies would have the ball in the net before half-time, only to be denied by the linesman's flag. John's free-kick met the head of Gogic who crashed his attempt off the post. Marcus Fraser was quickest to react, bundling into the net, but quickly denied by the offside call. As the game headed into injury-time at the end of the first 45, Saints were awarded a penalty when Richardson was felled by Milne. But a VAR check ruled the foul took place outside the box so the decision was overturned and Saints awarded a free-kick which John curled just by the far post.
Schwolow, the scourge of St Mirren, once again made another brilliant stop early into the second-half to deny us an opener. Gogic's cross found Mandron at the back post. The forward brought it down on his chest before seeing his strike blocked by a top stop from the Hearts goalkeeper.
Phillips headed a glorious chance over with a little more than 20 minutes to go, but the offside flag was raised in any case. Substitute Conor McMenamin then forced a save from Schwolow at his near post as the game ticked into its final minutes. From the resulting corner, John's delivery was exceptional and found Freckleton who peeled away from his marker to slam into the net and make up for the goal he wrongly saw disallowed when the sides met at The SMiSA Stadium in October.
Miguel Freckleton heads home the winner (Image: Vagelis Georgariou)
Saints would be forced to deal with one final Hearts set piece from which they sent Schwolow up in search of the goal that would give them a point. But Sabah Kerjota's delivery was poor and Etete managed to head clear the danger as the Buddies secured a welcome three points.
Full-Time: St Mirren 1-0 Hearts
St Mirren: George, Fraser (c), King, Freckleton, Richardson (McMenamin 70), Phillips, Devaney (Idowu 70), Gogic, John, Nlundulu (Sobowale 86), Mandron (Etete 77)
Subs: Mullen, Tanser, Donnelly, Campbell, Calvin
Hearts: Schwolow, Steinwender (Kerjota 90), Halkett, Findlay, Milne, Baningime (Magnusson 79), McEntee, Leonard (Ageu 90), Kyziridis (Kent 38), Braga, Kabore (Kabangu 79)
Subs: Gordon, McCart, Altena, Spittal
Referee: Steven McLean
AR1: David McGeachie
AR2: Steven Traynor
Fourth Official: Iain Snedden
VAR: John Beaton
Attendance: 7,151
