Hearts came from behind to beat St Mirren and overtake them into sixth in the Premiership.
Mikael Mandron’s opportunistic strike gave the visitors a half-time lead but James Wilson, Calem Nieuwenhof and Kenneth Vargas sealed the comeback.
In a first-half not full of entertainment or invention, the Buddies just edged it and seized the initiative. Declan John’s volleyed effort was goal-bound before being blocked by Michael Steinwender, with Mikael Mandron first to react and finishing.
The Jambos fought back after the break and the young man James Wilson produced yet another big moment. He had all the composure in the world to find the net and punish Richard Taylor’s error.
Just seven minutes later, they were ahead. It was a brilliant finish from Calem Nieuwenhof after working some space on the edge of the box, his second goal after the same opponent after coming back from a year out injured.
Killian Phillips almost found himself heading for an early back after catching Jamie McCart with a high challenge and shown the red card by Euan Anderson. But after a VAR check it was concluded there was no elbow involved and downgraded to a yellow.
Saints threw what they could at it and forced a couple of goalmouth scrambles towards the end, but that was about it.
Hearts get job done
Hearts were the better team in the second half and probably deserved the win after trailing at the break.
The Buddies had given a typical performance in the first and looked set to frustrate again but didn’t have an answer to the home side’s efforts later in the game.
The home side had plenty of the ball in the opening 45 and weren’t poor, but didn’t manage a shot on target.
But it was a much improved second half display as Neil Critchley showed his ability to turn things around once again.
Result could be decisive for top six and Europe
That sees the Jambos leapfrog them into sixth and now in the driving seat for a top six spot with five games to play before the split.
It could also have consequences in the race for European spots. With Hibs beating Dundee United they go level and Neil Critchley’s side are now four points behind them and five off Aberdeen.
The four sides face each other at the weekend with an Edinburgh derby and a ‘New Firm’ clash on Sunday.
Ice cold James Wilson
The 17-year-old has already shown he has ice in his veins, for example with goals against Hibs and Petrocub.
It was the same again. As the ball fell to him in front of goal, he could easily have slashed at it but he took the time to take a touch, set himself and find the net.
A big future lies ahead.