Spot kick is a sucker punch for Saints

Aug 25 2008 by Robert O'Neill, Paisley Daily Express

HEARTS..........................................2

ST MIRREN.....................................1

BATTLING Saints survived a first-half sending off and a pummelling by Hearts – but Michael Stewart’s penalty in the second 45 was the knockout blow at Tynecastle.

Catalan midfielder Tonet saw red in Gorgie with two cautions within the space of three minutes, before Jamie Mole’s 25-yard rasper put the Jam Tarts 1-0 to the good.

Billy Mehmet levelled the score from close range after 70 minutes to spark a Saints fightback, but Stewart converted from the spot five minutes later to restore the lead.

And Csaba Laszlo’s side had the opportunity to make the game safe in injury time when Jack Ross brought down Audrius Ksanavicius in the box for a penalty, but marvellous Mark Howard blocked Stewart’s effort.

There were two changes to the St Mirren starting 11 with centre back Will Haining back from suspension to replace Scott Cuthbert, while Andy Dorman bagged a start at the expense of Jim Hamilton.

Saints goalkeeper Howard was called upon as early as the third minute to deny Lee Wallace, who picked up a one-two before crashing a shot off the keeper’s body after he burst into the box and got the better of Haining.

Haining, though, was on hand a couple of minutes later to send a Mole effort away from the goalmouth after the Hearts forward picked up a long pass down the left-hand channel.

Then Howard was forced to make a save at his near post when Andrew Driver threatened down the right.

Hearts’ ability to break very quickly and their precise passing were causing the Buddies no end of problems in the opening minutes.

The pressure continued and Driver got the better of Franco Miranda down the right when he picked up a diagonal pass from Stewart.

Driver caught a whiff of goal so he cut in and sent a low, powerful drive inches wide of the right-hand post from 20 yards.

At the other end a deep cross from Stephen O’Donnell on the right almost found its way to Tonet at the back post and the midfielder just failed to connect.

After 16 minutes Christos Karipidis found Laryea Kingston in space and the Hearts midfield playmaker turned well before smashing a delightful right-foot shot from range that Howard just managed to tip over the bar.

Saints defended the danger but shortly after Miranda was forced to concede another corner kick with Driver breathing down his neck.

The visitors were on the ropes at this point and they badly needed some respite against a never-ending flow of attacks.

Tonet picked up a caution after 22 minutes when he took Jason Thomson out of the play 20 yards out on the right and from the free-kick by Driver, Kingston somehow allowed it to zip past him in front of goal.

But Saints were reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes when Tonet’s tackle from behind on Stewart earned him a second yellow card, followed by a red.

It was a needless tackle to make and Saints were right up against it.

With their numerical advantage, the Jambos continued to sweep forward at every opportunity and the big surprise was how they weren’t able to break the deadlock.

Haining, not for the first time, was forced to clear with his feet a distance drive from David Obua for another Hearts corner but from the resultant cross, it zipped across the face of goal.

Then Howard was called upon to take Driver’s corner from the right as Hearts’ dominance continued.

Wallace was cautioned for a foul on Gary Mason after 42 minutes, before Haining hoofed clear a Kingston header in the box.

But Hearts made the breakthrough seconds before the break when Mole picked up possession and smashed home a powerful drive from 25 yards that helpless Howard could only parry high into the net.

Substitute Deividas Cesnauskis came on after 48 minutes for Wallace and he almost made an immediate impression, sending in a low drive 16 yards out that had Howard scrambling to his right to block.

Kingston was there with the follow-up right at the by-line but somehow his shot was hoofed clear by some last-ditch defending from Saints skipper John Potter.

O’Donnell picked up a sore one during an aerial collision with Obua and he was replaced in 52 minutes by Hugh Murray.

Then Mole combined with Cesnauskis down the right and the Hearts man sent in an angled low drive that Howard got a touch to.

Stephen McGinn replaced Dorman with 56 minutes on the clock, before Hearts won a free-kick 25 yards out when Miranda brought Cesnauskis to ground – but the wall blocked Kingston’s shot.

Next up to have a shot at goal was Driver but his hopeful left-foot effort from Kingston’s crossfield pass was wayward.

After 64 minutes Jim Hamilton was introduced to the action for Garry Brady as the visitors sought a leveller.

McGinn’s strong running won a free-kick at the expense of Kingston after 70 minutes and from it, Saints equalised.

Hamilton chipped forward for Murray, he sent possession across the face of goal and Mehmet was on hand at the back post to sent it home from close range.

Sub Hamilton was cautioned for a foul on Stewart after 72 minutes, before Howard produced a wonder save from Driver’s fizzing right-foot shot, sending the ball over the bar.

But Hearts won a penalty after 75 minutes when Miranda took the feet away from Driver and up stepped Stewart to guide the ball just beyond Howard’s left.

Then Mason collected a Miranda pass on the left but his resultant shot was dealt with by goalkeeper Marian Kello.

Christian Nade was cautioned after 80 minutes for a foul on Hamilton, before O’Donnell combined with Haining following a corner on the left, but Kello mopped up easily.

Hearts sub Audrius Ksanavicius combined with Nade with time running out but the midfielder’s shot was held by Howard in goal.

A minute into time added on Hearts won a spot-kick when Ross felled Ksanavicius in the box and the Saints right-back picked up a caution but Howard managed to save Stewart’s penalty, diving to his left.

At the death, Saints won a free-kick over on the left but Mehmet headed Miranda’a cross agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.