St Mirren 1 – 1 Hearts

Robert Snodgrass scored the first goal for Hearts as he recovered from a poor first-half display to secure a 1-1 draw away to St Mirren.

Buddies deservedly took the lead at the break through Ryan Strain’s deflected free kick, but Jambos did much better in the second period.

The stalemate – which means both sides have gone on a six-match unbeaten run – keeps the third-placed Jambos five points clear of St Mirren, who have dropped from fifth to sixth in the Scottish Premiership ahead of today’s replay Friday between the teams at Tynecastle.

St Mirren went ahead in the fourth minute when Strain’s free-kick from 20 yards deflected off Toby Sibbick into the net after Cammy Devlin had tripped fellow Australian Keanu Baccus.

The Buddies’ goal-scoring afternoon was cut short in the 17th minute, however, when he was injured and replaced by Ryan Flynn.

The substitute almost doubled the hosts’ lead in the 32nd minute when he blasted a half-volley inches from the edge of the box.

Hearts had a good chance in the 35th minute when Snodgrass swung in a free-kick from the left, but Kye Rowles couldn’t get his close-range header wide.

St Mirren had a few decent openings at half-time but were unable to add to their lead before the break.

The Paisley men had a chance to score a second goal two minutes after the restart but goalkeeper Zander Clark made a brilliant save to keep out Curtis Main’s angled strike from 15 yards.

St Mirren were made to pay for their inability to go forward when Hearts equalized in the 49th minute, with Snodgrass’ left-footed cross from the right avoiding everyone in the box and bouncing into the corner of the net for the first time. goal since joining the Jambos in September.

The goal galvanized the visitors and they had two good chances to go ahead on the hour mark, with Forrest blasting into the side netting after being tackled in the box before Lawrence Shankland sent a close-range header past Trevor Carson.

The Saints were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time following a VAR review after Marcus Fraser was deemed to have stamped on Hearts substitute Jorge Grant.

Robinson: The game should have been wrapped up by half time

Stephen Robinson felt St Mirren should have stopped Hearts when they were on top, saying: “We’re disappointed not to have the three points.

“The game should have been won in the first half. We were very good and took the game, pressed well and showed good quality.

“We scored one and should have had two more and it wouldn’t have been fair. We started the second half well again, but then we started to go down and create space between the lines.

“Having said that, they had one cross into the box and one header throughout the game. We were quite happy for them to have possession and we hit brilliantly in the break at times.

“It’s just a final decision, as it has been for the last few weeks. Overall, tactically I think the boys are very good. In terms of passion and energy, there’s no question.

“They got the odd goal. There wasn’t much they could do because the screen was constantly there. It happened, but if that was the only threat, it was a credit to my players.

“Finally we got a point and we feel disappointed.”

Neilson: The first half was not enough

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson was unhappy with the result but was pleased with the improvement his team showed in the second half, saying: “I don’t think we’re happy with the point. We want to take the three points.

“The first half performance was not the level we wanted. The second half was better. Sometimes you have to take points and go up the road.”

What’s next?

It’s a double header for St Mirren and liver they meet again in the Scottish Premiership in the next match on Saturday – kick-off 19.45.