Hearts hit a new low after St Mirren midfielder Stephen McGinn's first-half strike condemned the Gorgie side to their ninth defeat of the season.

McGinn struck in the 16th minute with a clinical finish from inside the box after meeting Ian Maxwell's cross.

Hearts lacked penetration in attack in a woeful home performance and plummeted to 10th place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, now just one point ahead of today's visitors to Tynecastle.

The home supporters booed the team off at full-time, as the recent terrible run worsened to one win in 10 matches.

Fans in the main stand also vented their frustration at the executive box on full-time, shouting abuse at the club's directors.

St Mirren made a lively start and created the first chance after just 60 seconds.

Alan Reid's teasing cross was just missed by Stewart Kean from six yards after he managed to evade his marker inside the box.

Hearts responded five minutes later to test St Mirren goalkeeper Chris Smith.

Left-back Lee Wallace raced down the flank before finding captain Christophe Berra at the back post with a deep cross.

The Hearts captain nodded the ball down to Christian Nade but the Frenchman's shot from eight yards landed comfortably in Smith's hands.

Hearts were temporarily reduced to 10 men after striker Andrius Velicka disappeared down the tunnel to receive treatment on a foot injury, although the Lithuanian returned five minutes later.

The visitors then stormed ahead in the 16th minute courtesy of a clinical finish from McGinn.

Ian Maxwell found space on the left wing and delivered a cross which found the winger at the back post.

After taking the ball down on his chest, McGinn drilled a low shot into the net from an acute angle, beating veteran goalkeeper Steve Banks, who was recalled in place of Eduardas Kurskis.

Hearts' disjointed performance failed to improve despite going a goal down, prompting small pockets of fans to chant "Are you watching Romanov?", in reference to absent club owner Vladimir Romanov.

St Mirren came close to doubling their lead just two minutes after the restart.

A hopeful long ball forward caused problems for the defensive partnership of Berra and Ibrahim Tall, and Billy Mehmet's volley sailed inches wide of the post.

In an bid to change the flow of the game, Hearts introduced Michael Stewart and Saulius Mikoliunas in the 50th minute.

However St Mirren were causing more havoc for Hearts just a minute later.

Tall was helped out by goalkeeper Banks after being out-muscled by Stewart Kean inside the box and the shot-stopper made another brilliant save, while grounded, to deny Mehmet on the follow-up.

There was more cohesion to the hosts' play after the break but they still struggled to penetrate the Saints' defence.

Despite being forced onto the back foot, St Mirren continued to pose problems and McGinn had another effort cleared off the line from Reid's free-kick.

Hearts piled on the pressure in the hope they could find an equalising goal but the visitors' defence were happy to deal with the crosses thrown into the box.

Referee Iain Brines was forced to step in to calm down proceedings before the end when Velicka went in late on Maxwell.

The Saints players crowded the referee looking for a red card but Brines brandished a yellow.

St Mirren goalkeeper Chris Smith was also booked for running from his line to make his feelings clear about the challenge.

Mikoliunas, Stewart and Andrew Driver each tried their luck in the closing stages as Hearts battled in the hope of getting back into the game.

But St Mirren held on, and it might not be long before Hearts are the team keeping a close eye on bottom side Gretna's results. Falkirk away on Saturday looks like a daunting challenge for this Hearts team.

Teams:

Hearts Banks, Neilson, Tall, Berra, Wallace, Jonsson (Stewart 49), Ivaskevicius (Mikoliunas 49), Palazuelos, Driver, Velicka, Nade (Pospisil 61).

Subs Not Used: Basso, Elliot, Goncalves, Zaliukas.

Booked: Velicka, Neilson.

St Mirren Smith, van Zanten, Maxwell, Potter, Reid, Mason, McGinn, Miranda, Burke (Murray 66), Mehmet, Kean (Corcoran 90).

Subs Not Used: Howard, Brady, Dargo, Molloy, McCay.

Booked: Mason, Smith, McGinn.

Goals: McGinn 17.

Att: 16,476

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).