HEARTS came from behind twice to keep their unbeaten league record intact in a Paisley thriller.
The Jambos’ hot streak was in serious danger as St Mirren twice went ahead.
Dan Nlundulu’s sensational overhead kick broke the deadlock, with Miguel Freckleton putting the hosts back ahead after Lawrence Shankland had levelled.
But Claudio Braga came to the rescue to ensure the capital club stretched their unbeaten Premiership run to 10 games.
Both sides had goals ruled out for offside in the entertaining clash, with Hearts sub Pierre Landry Kabore’s effort in the last minute dramatically chalked off.
Saints were without defensive general Alex Gogic, who was suspended following his red card at Tannadice.
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He was replaced by Richard King, with striker Mikael Mandron replacing Jonah Ayunga as the goal-shy hosts went on the hunt for goals.
The Buddies had netted just twice in their previous four matches, whereas in-form Hearts came into the game having scored 10 over the same number of games.
Derek McInnes resisted the urge to change a winning formula, sticking with the eleven that thumped Celtic 3-1 at Tynecastle.
The Jambos were yet to taste defeat in the league, but Saints could take confidence from sending the capital club crashing out of the Premier Sports Cup in August.
St Mirren had lost their last three on the spin and were desperate for a positive result to take into their semi-final clash in that very competition on Saturday.
Braga was the first to test Shamal George with a low strike from the edge of the box. The Saints keeper held comfortably.
Skipper Mark O’Hara then blazed a decent opportunity over the bar as the sides traded tame opening blows.
Beni Baningime is hardly known for his prowess in front of goal.
Having last scored for Hearts in March 2022, the midfielder had a wonderful chance to finally break his duck when Shankland cleverly sent him through on goal.
Despite cutting inside well, Baningime could only curl his effort off the inside of the post and out.
That was a huge let off for the hosts, who were struggling to impose themselves on the game.
George comfortably denied weak efforts from Shankland and Stephen Kingsley as Hearts continued to prove for an opener.
Alexandros Kyziridis looked by far the most dangerous player on the park, with the Greek winger’s trickery and blistering pace causing the Saints’ defence problems.
Just before the half hour mark, St Mirren charged into the lead with a wondergoal.
A hopeful long ball forward from George wasn’t dealt with by the Hearts defence and with his back to goal, Nlundulu collected and pulled off a sublime overhead kick into the top corner.
McMenamin then cut in and curled just over the bar as Saints smelt blood.
Just six minutes later, Hearts clawed their way level.
Keanu Baccus was the culprit, with the Aussie failing to clear the danger from a Kingsley cross – allowing Shankland to slide home from close-range.
Fraser pulled off an expertly timed tackle to deny Shankland a second just before the break.
Hearts almost went ahead for the first time just one minute into the second half.
Shankland was sent clean through by McEntee but the usually clinical forward’s first touch let him down, with the angle always against him as he found the side netting.
Mandron then saw a strike deflected over the bar as the entertaining game continued to swing from end to end.
St Mirren looked more fluid in attack in the second half and weren’t long in regaining the lead.
First Alexander Schwolow denied Killian Phillips with a strong hand to palm over the Ireland international’s header.
From the resulting corner kick, Stuart Findlay failed to clear the danger and Miguel Freckleton stabbed the Buddies back in front.
Hearts were rocking and looked to be staring down the barrel of a first league defeat of the season when Saints looked to have doubled their lead.
Declan John’s free-kick found Freckleton unmarked, with the stopper’s header coming back to him off the post.
He gladly tapped home the rebound, but McInnes’ men were given a massive reprieve when VAR spotted Mark O’Hara interfering in an offside position.
Schwolow pulled off a brilliant save to deny another Phillips header.
And that proved pivotal as Hearts equalised just a minute later.
Kyziridis took a superb touch on the edge of the box before firing off an effort that George tipped onto the bar.
Braga was first to react, racing in to nod the leveller into an empty net.
Saints sub Ayunga went close to grabbing a winner, drawing a fine stop from Schwolow.
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Hearts looked to have pinched all three points at the death when sub Kabore slammed in from close-range.
But VAR chalked the effort offside, with the spoils shared after a hugely entertaining 90 minutes.
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