St Mirren Score late to defeat 10-men Hearts

St Mirren secured their first win since the December 20th, defeating 10-men Heart of Midlothian 1-0 at the SMISA Stadium, a late goal from Miguel Freckleton was enough to seal the three points for the Buddies.  

St Mirren made five changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Dundee on Saturday, Jayden Richardson, Jacob Devaney, Declan John, Mikael Mandron, and Dan Nlundulu, all came in, replacing Oluwatunmise Sobowale, Roland Idowu, Scott Tanser, Kion Etete and Jake Young.  

Hearts made two changes from the side that won comfortably in Tannadice, Tomas Magnuson and Jordi Altena were replaced by Beni Baningime, who returned from suspension, and Michael Steinwender.  

St Mirren had the first big chance in the match. The ball fell to Mandron inside the box, he was able to get a shot away, however Alexander Schwolow did well to get down and save the effort from the St Mirren striker. 

Marc Leonard was forced to make an important intervention in the 22^nd minute, a cross was played into the box, and the Hearts No.49 did enough to divert the ball from the path of Killian Phillips. 

For the second game in a row between the two sides, Hearts were reduced to ten men. Craig Halkett was sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity after bringing down Nlundulu just outside the box.  

St Mirren went close with the resulting free kick; however, Hearts were able to clear their lines frantically.  

Schwolow was forced to make another good save, this time from a Phillips shot in the 37^th minute. The Irishman did well to get his shot away, but the Hearts stopper was on hand to prevent a goal.  

St Mirren had the ball in the back of the net in the 39^th minute, however the linesman had his flag up for an offside in the build-up.  

St Mirren thought they had a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Referee Steven MacLean pointed to the spot deeming Harry Milne guilty of committing a foul, however after a VAR check, Milne’s challenge was judged to of been outside the box. 

The second half got off to a frantic start, St Mirren should have taken the lead through Mandron, but he was denied by Schwolow who came rushing out to deny the Buddies striker.  

Hearts then countered and went up the other end, where Claudio Braga had an attempt saved by Shamal George. 

The game really began to open up around the 65th minute ,while St Mirren were committing men forward, Hearts started to get joy on the counter. Braga was proving a nuisance up front for the St Mirren defence who struggled to deal with him, as he won several corners for the away side.

Towards the 80^th minute, the Jambos started to waste time to run down the clock, this got the home fans frustrated as they felt with the man advantage, they could go on and get a winner. 

Schwolow was again forced to make a good save in the 88^th minute from Connor McMenamin, however he could only put the ball out for a corner.  

It was from the resulting corner that St Mirren took the lead. Miguel Freckleton rose highest from the corner, whipped in by Declan John, and put his header past Schwolow.   

The full time whistle was met was met with wild cheers from the home fans who had just seen their side get their first win since the 20th December, and inflicted Hearts only their third defeat of the season.