A Colin Cameron penalty proved enough as Hearts beat St Mirren in a sluggish match at Tynecastle.

The Scotland midfielder scored 15 minutes from time - just as boss Craig Levein must have thought the three points were going to elude his men.

The victory keeps Hearts in the top six of the Scottish Premier League - but Saints' future looks bleak.

Paisley's manager Tom Hendrie knows that he faces a difficult second half of the season with his team seemingly missing the necessary quality for this level.

After a slow start, Hearts provided the first of many near-attempts on goal, when in the 15th minute Grant Murray ghosted through the St Mirren defence only to be denied by in-form goalkeeper Ludovic Roy.

A string of opportunities for the Jambos ensued, with both striker Andy Kirk and Cameron going close.

Northern Ireland international striker Kirk was surprised to see a good instinctive save by Roy, when Turner sliced a clearance into his path.

St Mirren's only response was just before the break, when Ricky Gillies headed a close-range chance over.

In the second half Hearts allowed the visitors to inch their way back into proceedings.

After out of sorts Gary McSwegan missed an opportunity on the hour Saints had a penalty claim waived aside when substitute Mark Yardley was upended by Hearts' on-loan debutant Kieran McAnespie.

In the latter stages St Mirren enjoyed much more possession, culminating in Yardley's crisp 72nd-minute shot which went over.

Unfortunately for the visitors they were made to pay in the 75th minute.

Defender Turner upended the powerful Tomaschek, and referee Stuart Dougal did not hesitate in awarding the spot kick. Reliable as ever, Cameron swept the ball home, bringing a wave of relief in the stand.

However Hearts had keeper Niemi to thank with the save of the night in the 81st minute when the Finn punched over Yardley's point-blank header.

Yardley again was at the centre of more drama, when with just a few minutes remaining he missed a gilt-edged opening, failing to hit the target from three yards out with Niemi badly exposed.

There was scant time left for Saints to press for the equaliser, although that would have been ultimately ill-deserved.

Teams:

Hearts (0) 1 St Mirren (0) 0

Hearts: Niemi, Pressley, Petric, Murray, Flogel, Cameron, Tomaschek, McAnespie (Severin 89), Boyack (Makel 69), McSwegan (Juanjo 79), Kirk.

Subs Not Used: McKenzie, Durie.

Booked: Makel.

Goals: Cameron 75 pen.

St Mirren: Roy, Baltacha, Kerr, Turner, Walker, Rudden, Murray (Bowman 83), McKenzie, Gillies, McGarry (Quitongo 46), Renfurm (Yardley 19).

Subs Not Used: Nellis, Nicolson.

Booked: Turner.

Att: 10,164

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).