Heart of Midlothian 1 St. Mirren 1

Last updated : 17 February 2007 By Footymad Previewer
It's now seven matches without a win for St Mirren but they will be delighted to take a point away from Tynecastle.

An early goal from Stephen O'Donnell gave them hope of victory with Hearts all at sea, but a wonder free-kick from Laryea Kingston saved Hearts' blushes.

It was Hearts who threatened first through the lively Andrius Velicka when he picked Kirk Broadfoot's clearance to thunder in a 25-yard volley that Chris Smith did well to tip over the bar.

But St Mirren grabbed the opener after 14 minutes when Hearts' central defence went to sleep.

Stewart Kean's pass in to O'Donnell found him in acres of space as he spun to fire a volley past Craig Gordon from 15 yards.

Hearts were stung into action and Velicka brought a save from Smith with a volley on the turn before heading Andrew Driver's cross over the bar.

There was no doubt that Hearts' main threat was Velicka, but the powerful frontman should have scored when he headed Driver's cross over the bar at the near post.

But it was St Mirren who went closest to increasing their lead when Ian Maxwell's long throw fell to O'Donnell, but this time Gordon was on hand to save.

Hearts finally found an equaliser and it was a brilliant free-kick from Kingston that he bent over the wall and into the top corner.

It was a point that ragged Hearts scarcely deserved and they remain a club in crisis.