Hearts ended a four-game winless run to stretch their lead in third as Stephen Robinson endured a miserable return to the Premiership with St Mirren.
Second half goals from substitute Ellis Simms and Cammy Devlin proved the difference but it was the 22nd minute sending off of Buddies playmaker Conor Ronan which did the real damage to Robinson and his side.
In front of the watching Scotland boss Steve Clarke, Barrie McKay impressed playing in behind Liam Boyce before moving wide left after the break and teeing up Simms for the all-important opener.
The result stretches Hearts ’ lead in third place to 11 points while Saints’ first defeat in nine sees them drop to eighth.
McKay started brightly and laid in Boyce for the first effort on goal but the Northern Irishman’s turn and shot flew wide.
Boyce went even closer after eight minutes when his header fro a Stephen Kingsley cross forced Jak Alnwick into the first save of the afternoon.
It was a fast start from the Jambos who were giving Saints a headache in the wide areas and McKay’s brilliant pick-out of Boyce at the back post brought another save from Alnwick as the Buddies lived dangerously.
And if they were up against it in the opening quarter of an hour their task got even harder after 22 minutes when Ronan was red carded for a challenge that left Beni Baningime in a heap on the half way line.
Referee Greg Aitken took an age to make the decision after consulting with his assistants. Ronan certainly went in hard and from the side it looked high and studs-up. Not that the home fans were in any mood to agree as Aitken and Baningime took pelters from the Paisley punters.
Robinson never even noticed the red card being brandished until his assistant Diarmuid O’Carroll raced from the dug out to inform the new boss who was deep in conversation with Greg Kiltie on the touchline.
The home fans’ fury was stoked again with 10 minutes left of the half when Alex Greive went down in the box under a clumsy Nathaniel Atkinson challenge in what could definitely be filed in the ‘seen them given’ category.
The red card certainly added fuel to an already fiery encounter as tackles flew in on both sides and the home support blew up at every one from a player in maroon.
Galvanised or whatever Saints were digging deep to disrupt Hearts’ early fluency as the first half wore out without ever troubling Craig Gordon.
The Buddies continued to defend their box resolutely as the second half progressed.
But it took a wonder save - and absolute worldie - from Alnwick to keep the score level after 54 minutes. Kingsley’s cross from the left found Boyce central, eight yards out, and his side foot volley was blocked at point blank range by the Englishman who still had work to do to smother the rebound.
Devlin was then screaming for a penalty when his cross battered off the arm of Alan Power from close range. Both players went into the book as they squared up over the matter.
But substitute Simms finally broke down the black and white wall to break the deadlock after 64 minutes.
McKay - who had moved to wide left - did the legwork as he tore down the flank before firing in a low cross that was missed by Dunne. Simms first effort was well saved by Alnwick but the Englishman made no mistake with the follow-up to send the away support wild.
Three minutes later it was 2-0 - in another controversial moment as Baningime’s through-ball released Simms who clattered into Alnwick who saved well only for Devlin to net the follow-up. Robinson and the home support appealed desperately for a foul. But it looked a fair challenge.
Simms could have made it 3-0 when his powerful effort from inside the box was turned onto the bar and over by the outstanding Alnwick.
3 talking points
Robbo's return spoiled
Stephen Robinson enjoyed an extra three days to prepare for his first game as St Mirren boss after Wednesday’s trip to Dundee was postponed. But the former Motherwell manager needed little time to reacquaint himself with the Premiership’s madness when this one kicked off. Conor Ronan’s red card lit the fuse on a crackling encounter but ultimately made it mission impossible for the Buddies. Despite the fury of the home support it looked the right call with Ronan going in dangerously high. Losing the Irishman so early robbed Robinson of his most creative influence in the middle of the park but they also failed to utilise the threat of Jordan Jones wide left in what turned into an increasingly defensive effort. This was always going to be a tough start no matter what and the desire to keep Hearts out for over an hour was impressive. Otherwise it’s very difficult to judge Robinson’s impact in his first game in charge.
Jambos Joy
Without a win in four league games which have brought just one goal there was pressure on Robbie Neilsoin’s side coming into this. They were back towards full strength with skipper Craig Gordon returning in goal, injured duo Craig Halkett and Liam Boyce back at opposite ends of the park and Beni Baningime, Gary Mackay-Steven and Ben Woodburn brought back in. It looked like another afternoon of frustration was about to ensue as St Mirren defended doggedly after going down to 10 men. But a spark of magic from Barrie McKay teed up Ellis Simms to finally break down the Paisley resistance. Neilson ’s decision to switch to a front two after the break worked a treat and the introduction of Everton loanee Simms was pivotal. Hard to argue with the result although how much the red card had to do with that we will never know. Hearts were already well on top by that point with Liam Boyce missing two huge chances in the opening quarter of an hour. Baningime impressed in the heart of midfield, keeping the tempo ticking over and barely wasting a pass. McKay was a real threat in behind Boyce in the first half before moving out wide in the second and creating the opener. A big win for the Jambos who are now 11 points clear in third.
Clarke eyes McKay
Craig Gordon’s place in the Scotland squad may be assured but Hearts quartet John Souttar, Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley and Barrie McKay will have ambitions of joining the veteran shotstopper in there. None will have done their chances any harm here although it was the contribution of McKay in particular that stood out. The winger is third in the top flight assists table and could have ended the game with four more had the strikers had their shooting boots on. McKay started just behind Liam Boyce and looked right in the mood, finding pockets of space to deliver a series of pinpoint crosses into the box, two of which ended with Jak Alnwick denying Boyce. But it was his burst of pace and delivery that led to the all-important opener after 64 minutes which did the real damage. Pace, control and oozing confidence, McKay could well be pushing for a place in Clarke’s squad. If one thing is missing it’s that goal which still eludes him since his return to Scotland.
