VAR FROM HAPPY AS RUN OF BAD LUCK HITS NEW LOW

Disallowed goal tally reaches 10 in 16 games for Saints as 10-man Hearts triumph at end

- Colin Paterson at Tynecastle

A second-half double saw 10-man Hearts consolidate their place at the top of the Premiership last night as St Mirren slipped to a fourth straight defeat.

Goals from Lawrence Shankland and Tomas Magnusson sank the Buddies who had two efforts ruled out for offside during a tempestuous Tynecastle tussle to make it 10 disallowed in 16 games.

The Jambos appeared to have it all to do when midfielder Beni Baningime deservedly saw red, following a VAR check, for a shocking challenge on Roland Idowu.

However, Hearts were still able to inflict capital punishment on 10th-placed Saints who are without a win in five and remain just four points clear of Kilmarnock in the relegation playoff spot.

Saints made three changes to the team which started the 2-0 defeat to Falkirk.

A calf injury ruled out Liam Donnelly with Fraser Taylor and Dan Nlundulu dropping to the bench.

Alex Gogic returned from suspension while Oisin Smyth was straight into the starting lineup having been recalled from a loan spell at Partick Thistle. Idowu also got another chance to shine.