But it was young Gary Glen who stole the show with a fine performance and a goal on his first start for Hearts.
It was St Mirren who showed the early appetite and Andy Dorman forced a fine save from Steve Banks with a wicked 25-yarder that dipped and swerved.
The Hearts keeper reacted well and got enough of his left hand on the ball to push it around the post.
But the visitors were ahead after 20 minutes and this time Banks was helpless.
Ryan McCay surged forward from midfield and exchanged passes with Garry Brady before hammering a 20-yarder past Banks.
The visitors were worth their lead but it only lasted 10 minutes as Hearts grabbed an equaliser that had a touch of good fortune about it.
Glen burst down the left and his cross broke out to Eggert Jonsson. The young Icelander slammed in a left-foot shot that took a huge deflection off Will Haining and flew into the opposite corner of the net leaving Mark Howard helpless.
But there was nothing fortunate about Hearts' second goal two minutes from half-time which came after a fine passing move.
Jonsson found Glen with a nice pass and the youngster fed Saulius Mikoliunas and ran back on to his delightful chip.
Glen's first shot was brilliantly parried by Howard, but the youngster made no mistake with the rebound.
Kingston tried a clever free-kick from a very tight angle but Howard was able to gather under his crossbar.
But a terrible mix-up between Howard and Ian Maxwell gave sub Juho Makela the chance to wrap up the points but Haining tracked back to clear his low shot off the line.
Saints almost capitalised when Dorman unleashed a tremendous left-foot shot from 30 yards that was matched by Banks' save.
However, Gary Mason made no mistake after 77 minutes when he equalised with a brilliant 25-yard volley for Saints after Kingston had surrendered possession.
However, Kingston made amends immediately and sealed the points with a superb 25-yard free-kick that nestled in the top corner with Howard left helpless.