Steven MacLean misses from spot as 10-man Hearts hold on for point
Top scorer Steven MacLean missed a late penalty and a chance to ease St Johnstone past 10-man Hearts into third place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Hearts had been playing with a man less since the 27th minute following Juanma Delgado's straight red card for an attempted head-butt but St Johnstone could not take advantage as the match finished goalless.
It could have been a different story for the hosts, though, had they made the most of the opportunity they were given 12 minutes from time when Hearts substitute Miguel Pallardo shoved Perth replacement Chris Kane in the box.
Despite failing from the spot against Dundee United last month, MacLean stepped up to take the penalty but he lashed his attempt high over the bar and the Jambos held on for a precious point .
The big surprise in the Saints line-up was the inclusion of one-time Hearts striker John Sutton for the first time since early September, with on-loan Celtic defender Darnell Fisher recalled to the right-back role.
Hearts full-back Jordan McGhee paid the price for his high-profile handball which paved the way to Aberdeen's late penalty winner at Pittodrie and Pallardo was also benched, allowing Morgaro Gomis and Juwon Oshaniwa to start at McDiarmid Park.
After a tentative opening period, Hearts were first to pose a threat, but home keeper Alan Mannus was well-placed to scoop up Osman Sow's strike from the edge of the penalty area in the eighth minute.
While Steven Anderson squandered a close-range opportunity to convert Liam Craig's corner after shaking off his marker, heading weakly at Hearts keeper Neil Alexander, there was no advance warning of the flashpoint which saw Juanma dismissed just before the half-hour.
While Saints midfielder David Wotherspoon appeared to clip the striker, referee Kevin Clancy immediately red carded the Spaniard for motioning at the Perth player with his forehead as players from both sides charged to the scene and jostled each other in front of the dug-outs.
Within minutes of being reduced to 10 men, Hearts should have been a goal down.
MacLean's cutback played in Fisher and the full-back's touch was met by Murray Davidson at full speed, only for the midfielder to poke the ball wide of the gaping target from eight yards.
Then Sutton peeled off his marker but his back-post header found the top of the net from Brian Easton's delivery.
Shortly after the interval, Hearts keeper Alexander kept Easton at bay when the full-back unleashed a raking 22-yarder which threatened to sneak inside the upright.
Saints continued to push but MacLean could not capitalise on his gilt-edged opportunity from 12 yards and Alexander brilliantly denied both Kane and Davidson with vital close-range saves in the closing minutes as Hearts held on.
Source: PA
