Ten-man Hearts defeated

Hearts are still seeking a long overdue SPL win after St. Johnstone came from behind to take the points in Saturday’s early kick off at Tynecastle.

Csaba Laszlo introduced Gary Glen to the starting line-up to partner Christian Nade, and the youngster was involved immediately. His looping shot was well held by Graeme Smith in the first minute.

The hosts threatened again after five minutes. Good link up play between Nade and Obua put the Ugandan in behind the Saints defence, although Ian Black could only divert his low cross wide.

The visitors had their only real opportunity of the opening forty-five after ten minutes. A hopeful cross from the right eluded Jason Thomson and fell to Morais at the back post, but the former Hibs man could only volley straight at Janos Balogh.

A scrappy first half didn’t really come to life until the 34th minute. Christian Nade collected Lee Wallace’s throw before turning inside and sending a fantastic 25 yard drive in to the corner for his first goal of the campaign. Right back Jason Thomson had a similar effort just three minutes later, which flew just wide.

David Obua then charged down Kevin Rutkiewicz’s clearance, but inexplicably took the ball away from goal before shooting, allowing Smith to parry his effort.

Derek McInnes had his men out early for the second period and they started by exerting some pressure on the home defence through a Danny Grainger free kick. The Perth men were level on the hour, though, as Morais showed good skill to beat Thomson on the right, before picking out Colin Samuel, who nodded past the helpless Balogh.

Hearts response came in the form of a Michael Stewart free kick that curled just over. Samuel came close again after 74 minutes, sending a ferocious volley whistling past Balogh’s top right hand corner from the angle of the box.

Jody Morris probably should have given Saints the lead shortly after. Granger’s deep-cross found the ex-Chelsea man at the back post, who saw his close range shot blocked by Balogh.

Hearts were dealt a blow with ten minutes remaining when Goncalves was controversially sent off. Stevie O’Reilly adjudged that the Portuguese caught Liam Craig in the face with a high boot. Although there appeared to be no contact, a verdict supported by the midfielder’s remarkably speedy recovery.

St. Johnstone again came close to grabbing a winner, Craig seeing his snap-shot deflected over by Craig Thomson.

The winner finally did come with three minutes left. Jody Morris’ cross was headed back across the face of goal where substitute Jonatan Johansson slid the ball home from close range. It was the ex Rangers and Hibs forward’s first SPL goal in a decade, and it was enough to give St. Johnstone an impressive away win.