Jim Jefferies' Hearts proved they must now be considered serious title contenders after a thrilling 3-2 victory over luckless Saints at McDiarmid Park.

Hearts now leapfrog Celtic and are only one point behind league leaders Rangers.

Despite throwing away a two-goal cushion the capital side managed to regain the lead 20 minutes from time.

Jim Hamilton - the sinner for Saints when he scored twice in their previous league encounter in Perth this season - was Hearts' hero once more with two goals.

Gary Naysmith scored the other, while Callum Davidson and George O'Boyle grabbed the goals for Saints.

St Johnstone started brightly with transfer target Davidson out to impress the on-looking Kenny Dalglish and Rangers boss Walter Smith.

The £1million-rated left back linked well with Alan Preston in an impressive opening period for the home side.

They forced five corners in the first quarter but failed to make the all-important breakthrough.

The closest they came to the opener was a near post header from Canadian international Nick Dasovic. But Hearts youngster Naysmith - in for the suspended Neil Pointon - cleared his effort off the line.

The visitors took the lead with their first real attack of note in 28 minutes.

Jim Hamilton's clinical finish from a vicious David Weir cross from eight yards out gave the visitors a hardly-deserved lead.

Before Saints could recover they found themselves two-down courtesy of a spectacular Naysmith volley.

Stephane Adam's cross was cleared by John McQuillan but Colin Cameron teed up the youngster who crashed an unstoppable 25-yard volley home after 35 minutes.

Saints made the perfect start to the second half when Davidson played a delicious one-two with O'Boyle and slotted past the on-rushing Gilles Rousset.

Then midfielder Paul Kane almost snatched an equaliser when his 10-yard snap shot was tipped over by Rousset.

Saints got the equaliser in 62 minutes when Dave McPherson brought down Tommy Wright in the box.

O'Boyle netted his ninth goal of the season from the spot, sending Rousset the wrong way.

Hearts came within inches of regaining the lead minutes later when Adam's 18-yard chip drifted agonisingly over the bar with keeper Alan Main stranded.

But they finally restored their lead after 69 minutes when Steve Fulton released Hamilton who hammered the ball through Main's legs from a tight angle.

Philip Scott had a golden opportunity to equalise for the home side with 16 minutes to go but he blasted O'Boyle's knock-down wide.

Saints manager Paul Sturrock threw on John O'Neil and Roddy Grant for Dasovic and Wright in a desperate attempt to snatch a draw but they failed to make the desired impact.

Teams

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Davidson, Dasovic (O'Neil 76), Weir, Kernaghan, Scott, Wright (Grant 76), Kane, O'Boyle, Preston (Andersson 85).

Booked: Kernaghan.

Goals: Davidson 48, O'Boyle 63 pen.

Hearts: Rousset, Frail (Flogel 64), Naysmith, Weir, McPherson, Ritchie, McCann, Fulton, Adam (Murie 90), Cameron, Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Robertson.

Booked: Hamilton, Cameron, McPherson.

Goals: Hamilton 29, Naysmith 36, Hamilton 70.

Att: 5,404

Ref: M McCurry (Glasgow).