St Johnstone were caught cold after the break to record another disappointing defeat as the Premiership made its January return.
Hosts Hearts struck just 20 seconds into the second half through forward Josh Ginnelly and he notched again in the 75th minute to add salt to the Perth wound.
Cheap concession of goals would again be a source of frustration for manager Callum Davidson, whose side remain bottom of the pile.
Despite the poor run of results to end last year, Saints supporters arrived at a dreich Tynecastle hoping for some capital gains. But that is now nine defeats on the bounce.
Centre-half Dan Cleary and striker Nadir Ciftci were handed club debuts while former Liverpool full-back Tony Gallacher, another of the new arrivals, was required to settle for a place on the bench.
The other big talking point was that Cammy MacPherson returned to the heart of the midfield having recently undergone groin surgery.
He partnered Jacob Butterfield and experienced Murray Davidson, while Stevie May was deployed up top alongside Ciftci.
Wing-backs Callum Booth and Michael O’Halloran would look to provide attacking support down the flanks.
And planning to keep it tight beside Cleary were the familiar faces of Liam Gordon and Jamie McCart. Zander Clark, of course, was between the posts.
He watched ominously in the 11th minute as Alex Cochrane nodded a Barrie McKay delivery across goal. Sneaking in towards the back post was Michael Smith but he could only blaze his first time attempt high and wide.
Moments later all eyes were on referee Nick Walsh when Gordon attempted a last-gasp sliding challenge on Josh Ginnelly, who had used his pace to steal in behind the visiting defence. Walsh waved away fierce Hearts claims.
Clark, the subject of pre-contract transfer interest, then pulled off a terrific low save to deny a left-footed McKay drive.
Saints had soaked up a fair amount of pressure but suddenly, on 26 minutes, Ciftci was bursting through on goal. The travelling support rose to their feet as the Turkish forward went for the low route. He was denied by Craig Gordon.
The rebound still looked up for grabs but the ball eventually went behind for a goal kick and the drama was over.
Ciftci was in the mood and in the 37th smashed a speculative hit goalwards. Gordon, awkwardly, managed to keep it out again.
There was enough for Saints to be positive about in the opening half and it was all very much to play for.
But disaster struck just 20 seconds into the second half when McKay’s pass cut open a high line and sent Ginnelly clear. He kept his composure to guide a low strike beyond Clark.
Perth players looked puzzled but now had a mountain to climb. They didn’t have a sight of goal until the 64th minute when O’Halloran’s cut-back was weakly nudged towards goal by May.
That was to be his last action before being replaced by Chris Kane while Charlie Gilmour - back from his Alloa loan - replaced Butterfield.
On 75 minutes, the game was over. Ciftci was unable to hold the ball up and that presented Hearts with the attacking momentum.
McKay would glide into a promising position and nudge wide into the box for Ginnelly to claim his second of the evening.
MacPherson attempted to retaliate quickly but his free-kick from range didn’t have enough curl to find the target.
Cammy Devlin, the Hearts midfielder, could have added more pain in the 82nd minute but he was denied by Clark.
There was to be no Saints breakthrough and the 437 away fans would, again, return home disappointed.
