Obika gives Buddies’ survival hopes a shot in the arm

LAST NIGHT’S ACTION STATS PACK

reflected in Daniel Stendel’s team selection as he went unchanged from the side which shared a weekend point with Motherwell.

Saints started the night three points better off than the visitors and Akin Famewo was first to threaten the Jambos.

He should have done better than poke a tame shot wide of target after being left unmarked from Cammy MacPherson’s corner.

That was followed a jinking run by Alex Jakubiak which carried him to the byeline and his cut-back was lashed over the crossbar by MacPherson.

Hearts were under the cosh and it required a bit of acrobatics from keeper Zdenek Zlamal to claw away a cross from Durmus which was dipping into the net.

A Ross Wallace free-kick came close to breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute as it was allowed to float all the way to the back post and drift just wide with no St Mirren takers.

The Buddies lost Conor McCarthy to injury on the half-hour mark as McGrath came into the midfield with Sam Foley stepping back into a central defensive position.

Another top stop by Zlamal kept out a MacPherson rocket from 18 yards as a half of blood and thunder was brought to a close.

Stendel replaced Sean

Clare with Liam Boyce at the interval hoping to turn the tide. It didn’t work.

Seconds after the restart Saints attacked and scored.

Obika chased a long ball from Wallace which neither of the Hearts central defenders dealt with.

The big Englishman muscled his way forward to stab a low shot past the exposed Zlamal.

At last the home side had something to show for their efforts and the fact it came from a route-one punt proved that finesse comes a distant second to finding the net in games of this importance.

Wallace then dragged a shot which was pushed wide by Zlamal as the Buddies attempted to find a cushion for their lead.

Another Saints casualty saw MacPherson limp off to be replaced by Andreu just before the hour as the traffic continued to flow towards the Hearts goal.

The Paisley side coped with all that came their way as Stendel continued to confuse with his constant changes and tactical switches which made no impression.

There was always the danger of a late lapse by Saints and Lewis Moore managed a shot which was blocked to safety.

Safety – not a word easily being used in the maroon half of Edinburgh this morning.