TRUST BEST BUDDIES TO KEEP FEET ON GROUND

Braga helps pacesetters get out of Paisley with a point

- CRAIG SWAN AT THE SMISA STADIUM

CLAUDIO BRAGA salvaged a precious point as the league leaders were pushed to the limit in Paisley.

The Portuguese attacker nabbed Hearts' second leveller of the night moments after their unbeaten Premiership start seemed destined to end. St Mirren led through Dan Nlundulu's spectacular effort, only for Lawrence Shankland to bury a first equaliser before the break.

Miguel Freckleton restored the home side's lead 10 minutes after the restart and when he cracked home again moments later, Saints looked set for a two-goal cushion.

But the effort was ruled out after a VAR intervention and, lifted by the lifeline, Braga nodded home his ninth of the season with 20 minutes left.

It was a gruelling night for the pacesetters as Stephen Robinson's Buddies, despite enduring three straight defeats, posed a huge threat. Saints could well have won it... and lost it when, with three minutes left, sub Pierre Landry Kabore shot home.

Once again, VAR had a look and ruled it out for offside.

Hearts' lead may have been trimmed to six points but there is no denying it goes down as a hard-fought point.

While the gap can go to nine against Dundee on Saturday, Saints face a League Cup semifinal with Motherwell the same afternoon and will take big confidence from this.