Heart of Midlothian 0 St. Mirren 1

Last updated : 26 December 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Stephen McGinn sent Hearts crashing to their fourth successive defeat with an early strike at Tynecastle.

The 19-year-old netted after 17 minutes to give St Mirren their first win in seven matches and heap more misery on the Jambos.

It was just the result the Edinburgh side did not need as they tumbled to tenth in the league, just a point above Saints.

Steve Banks returned to the Hearts goal with Eduardas Kurskis suspended after his red card against Inverness Caley Thistle at the weekend.

Hearts had an early chance when Christophe Berra flicked on a cross from Lee Wallace, but Christian Nade's shot was straight at Chris Smith.

But Saints were keen to cash in on Hearts' current fragility and they took the lead after 17 minutes with a well-worked goal.

McGinn had time to control an Ian Maxwell cross on his chest and drill a low, angled shot past Banks.

There was another opportunity midway through the half when good work from Gary Mason gave Billy Mehmet a shooting chance, but he directed it straight at Banks.

A slip by Ibrahim Tall put Hearts in more trouble later in the half, but the defender recovered sufficiently to prevent Mehmet taking full advantage.

St Mirren grew in confidence as Hearts looked out of sorts and the home side hardly had a serious attempt on goal in the first half.

There was a scare shortly before half-time for Saints when David van Zanten was short with a headed passback, but Smith grabbed the ball before Nade could pounce.

Mehmet had a chance at the start of the second half after being set up by Stewart Kean but his shot whistled wide.

Banks then pulled off a tremendous save from Mehmet to keep Hearts in the game after he had blocked Kean's initial shot. The goalkeeper also did well to keep out McGinn shortly afterwards.

But Hearts looked more menacing after half-time with Smith looking uncertain in the St Mirren goal under pressure.

The goalkeeper did well, however, to fingertip a header from Michal Pospisil over his crossbar just moments after the substitute had come on.

Michael Stewart had a chance with ten minutes left after good work by fellow substitute Saulius Mikoliunas, but cracked his 20-yard shot over the top.

Hearts piled on the pressure in the closing minutes, but St Mirren held firm for an important three points.