Robert Snodgrass netted his first Hearts goal to rescue a point in Paisley as both sides made it six games unbeaten.
The veteran midfielder, culpable at the Buddies’ opener, levelled shortly after the break when a trademark whipped cross deceived the St Mirren defence and travelled all the way in at the back post. The Jambos had barely laid a glove on Saints up to that point. But the home side - who ended with 10 men after Marcus Fraser was red carded in injury time for stamping on Jorge Grant - will be kicking themselves for a glut of missed first half chances.
In the end the point made it 10-unbeaten at home for the Paisley side who now head to Tynecastle on Friday for the second of a Scottish Premiership double header. After observing a minute’s applause for late great Buddies Hall of Famer Frank McGarvey the home side flew out the traps and took the lead inside four minutes through Ryan Strain. An uncharacteristically loose pass from Snodgrass was pounced on by Keanu Baccus who was fouled by Cammy Devlin as he homed in on goal. Strain stepped up to smash home the resultant free kick from 25 yards - via a heavy deflection off Toby Sibbick - to hand Saints a dream start.
