Hearts 2-1 St Mirren

Hearts - Mole 45, Stewart pen 74

St Mirren - Mehmet 69

ST MIRREN were given a chasing by Hearts for the majority of this match as Csaba Laszlo's side delivered a commanding performance not properly reflected in the scoreline. Goals from Jamie Mole and Michael Stewart were sufficient against the ten-man visitors, who had Tonet Guerao dismissed in the first half.

In terms of possession there was only one side on the pitch, but a second-half equaliser from Billy Mehmet momentarily frightened the dominant hosts before Stewart converted a penalty which proved the difference. The midfielder then saw a second spot-kick saved by Mark Howard, the visiting goalkeeper, in injury time.

After his midweek international return, Stewart was peerless against St Mirren with a man-of-the-match display as he fed Mole for the opener before showing commendable mettle to score the decisive second from 12 yards. His late aberration deserved forgiveness given his earlier exploits.

David Obua, the Ugandan midfielder, made his Hearts debut alonside Slovakian Marian Kello. The presence of the on-loan FBK Kaunas goalkeeper means Laszlo has fielded three different men in goal in the opening three SPL fixtures, but in truth this had little effect on the hosts. Kello was reliable when called upon, which was rare, and in front of him some of Hearts' intricate passing was a joy to watch.

Obua began wide on the left of midfield as Andy Driver took up position on the right. With Larry Kingston supporting striker Mole, the attacking impetus quickly kicked in for the hosts. An adventurous gallop from Lee Wallace two minutes in saw him wind up in the penalty area collecting Mole's pass but Howard emerged quickly to save at the full-back's feet.

Five minutes later a mesmerising Stewart pass aimed at Mole carved the visiting defence wide open. The Englishman's effort eluded howard but Will Haining was well positioned to preserve the blank scoreline. Stewart, indeed, dominated midfield during the opening exchanges, his range of passing sublime in the extreme as he initiated attacking moves sometimes from just beyond the Hearts 18-yard line.

The hitherto quiet Kingston forced Howard into a splendid save on 17 minutes with a powerful 25-yard shot following some intricate passing from the hosts. It was evidence of their superiority at that stage with St Mirren toiling to gain a foothold in midfield.

Perhaps exasperation contributed to Gus MacPherson's side being reduced to ten men on 25 minutes. Tonet Gureao, the Spanish midfielder, executed late tackles on Driver and Stewart within the space of two minutes and was promptly dismissed by referee Calum Murray for two cautions. He could have little complaint, and it was refreshing to see an official granting Hearts justice, although Murray then blotted his copybook somewhat by booking Lee Wallace for what seemed an innocuous challenge on Gary Mason.

Despite their continual monopoly of possession the Edinburgh side did not convert control into goals until first-half stoppage time when Mole, again from Stewart's pass, sent an unstoppable drive soaring into the St Mirren net. Howard got a hand to it but was beaten by the shot's ferocity.

Hearts remained in the ascendency when the second half began with Kello exercised so infrequently that he must have pondered which was the easier league, the SPL or Lithuania's A Lyga. The Slovakian received a rude awakening on 69 minutes, however, when St Mirren fashioned an unlikely equaliser that left referee Murray's decision making open to serious question.

Kingston was penalised for tripping visiting substitute Hugh Murray despite appearing to make no contact whatsoever. The free-kick resulted in Murray teeing up Billy Mehmet at the back post for a simple tap-in. A few months ago this Hearts team would have imploded at the sense of unfairness surrounding the set-piece which preceded the goal, but inside five minutes their advantage was restored.

Driver collected the ball following a corner kick and, whilst attempting to evade full-back Franco Miranda, was tripped for a clear penalty which Stewart slotted beyond Howard.

In stoppage time, Jack Ross' wild lunge on Ksanavicius brought a second penalty for Hearts but Stewart's effort was this time saved by Howard low at the left post. Mehmet's last-gasp header from Miranda's free-kick bounced wide, allowing the Gorgie natives to breathe easy.

Hearts (4-4-1-1): Kello; Thomson, Zaliukas, Berra, Wallace; Driver, Karipidis, Stewart, Obua; Kingston; Mole. Subs: MacDonald, Glen, Nade 69 (for Mole), Ksanavicius 84 (for Kingston), Cesnauskis 49 (for Wallace), Palazuelos, Rapnik.

St Mirren (4-4-1-1): Howard; Ross, Potter, Haining, Miranda; O'Donnell, Mason, Brady, Tonet; Dorman; Mehmet. Subs: Smith, Murray 53 (for O'Donnell), Wyness, Hamilton 65 (for Brady), McAusland, McGinn 57 (for Dorman), Cuthbert.

Referee: Calum Murray.

Attendance: 13,357.