Barrie McKay strikes to earn Hearts 1-0 win over St Mirren

Hearts strengthened their hold on third place in the Premiership with a 1-0 win over St Mirren at Tynecastle on Friday night.

Barrie McKay scored the only goal of the game but the hosts had to survive a late scare to ensure they took all three points.

St Mirren, who were unbeaten in six matches going into the game, had the better of the early chances, with Alex Greive close to connecting with a cross in front of goal in the opening stages before Curtis Main and Keanu Baccus also had opportunities for the visitors.

Hearts soon settled and took the lead just before the half hour mark. McKay started the move, collecting the ball in his own half and striding forward before exchanging passes with Lawrence Shankland and then Andy Halliday before curling a shot past Trevor Carson from outside the box.

Andy Halliday had a chance to double his side’s lead but scooped a shot over the bar after Alex Cochrane had burst into the box and picked his teammate out.

St Mirren substitute Greg Kiltie then went close to an equaliser when he forced a double save from Zander Clark in the Hearts goal.

Jonah Ayunga came off the bench for St Mirren and went close to scoring after a surging run and shot that was tipped on to the post, and there was also a VAR check when the ball struck Kye Rowles’ hand in the box when the visitors were attacking.

Robbie Neilson was sent to the stand as the temperature rose in Tynecastle with both sides battling hard.

Stephen Humphrys had a late chance to make sure of the points for Hearts but fired a shot past the post when it seemed easier to score but the Tynecastle side saw the match out to take three points that pull them six clear of fourth-placed Aberdeen.