Hearts overcame a first-half red card for the second time in four days to beat St Mirren and remain six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Beni Baningime’s 15th-minute dismissal for a horror challenge threatened to hamper Hearts’ title challenge, but second-half goals from Lawrence Shankland and Tomas Magnusson secured victory.
It is the second consecutive statement win after Derek McInnes’ embattled side won with 10 man at Dundee on Sunday after goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow was sent off just before half-time.
The red card came earlier in this game, and although no one could argue about the decision, it created a siege mentality around Tynecastle, leading to an atmosphere akin to a European night under the lights in Gorgie.
Baningime, who has been instrumental for the league leaders, caught Roland Idowu high on the calf with his studs and, after a quick video assistant referee (VAR) check, referee Kevin Clancy upgraded the colour of his card from yellow to red.
St Mirren would have the ball in the back of the net twice in the first half, through Idowu and Harry Milne’s own goal, but both were chalked off for offside.
That didn’t dent Hearts’ play. Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis both missed one-on-one opportunities in the first half, and St Mirren keeper Shamal George made a great save to deny Shankland in the second.
But he could do nothing to stop the Hearts’ captain on the hour mark.
Blair Spittal played a fine one-two with Kyziridis before picking out Shankland in the middle, and he in turn picked out the bottom corner with a first-time finish.
It got even better for Hearts when, after hard work from substitute Pierre Landry Kabore, Magnusson was able to play Milne through one-on-one.
His shot was saved by George but Magnusson was there on the rebound to head home and settle any home nerves.
As for St Mirren, that makes it two wins from 15 amid a mini-injury crisis, as they remain in 10th place, four points behind Dundee.
McInnes has made a lot this week of how desperately his side need their home fans in the next few weeks.
Although during a recent win over Livingston the mood at Tynecastle could hardly be called toxic, it wasn’t particularly encouraging either.
Not many could have predicted just how badly the league leaders would need that 12th man against St Mirren.
Baninigme’s red was for a rash, thoughtless lunge and was the first of his career. The midfielder is known for his composure under pressure, not that kind of tackle.
The mood threatened to turned gloomy but instead, it gave fans a cause. Their side, on top of the league for over 100 days, were the underdogs once more.
This was not similar to the 45 minutes against Dundee, where Hearts played with their backs to the wall when they were a man down.
No changes were made, and Braga and Kyziridis continued to hunt from the front, albeit spurning opportunities that occasionally popped up.
That continued in the first half, until the goal came. After that, they sat back. Jamie McCart came on, as did Frankie Kent.
But they soaked up the pressure, they fought for every ball, and they stung on the counter.
Once again, they had the mark of title challengers. When under the pump, they came up with all the answers.
As for St Mirren, it was another disappointing performance. Yes, they are bereft with injuries. The absent Mark O’Hara, Keanu Baccus, Jonah Ayunga are key players.
But Killian Phillips and George made it through fitness scares to play, and Alex Gogic’s return from suspension should have been more keenly felt.
But even with a man extra, they struggled to create. When they did score, they were denied by tight offside calls. Idowu offered threat, but he had precious little help.
Stephen Robinson has pleaded to his back-up brigade, urging them to step up. They’re not doing it, and their horrendous league run continues.
The manager is under no pressure. He has delivered a rare trophy this season that will live long in the memory.
But immortality does not exist in modern football and they need to turn this around, or they’ll start to flirt with the two teams below them.
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: “We were in trouble but we’ve got the experience of Sunday and we played similar.
“We tried to still carry a threat with three at the top of the pitch, give us a bit of oxygen and belief. Lawrence [Shankland], Claudio [Braga] and Kyzi [Kyziridis] carried the fight for us and gave us good moments without scoring.
“We reorganised at half time and St Mirren never made any changes, so the message was clear – ‘this can be done’.”
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: “First half, Hearts go down to 10 men. Thought we played really well, scored two goals that were disallowed.
“Then we stopped doing basics. Hearts were the epitome of doing the basics right.
“The two goals are woeful decisions. All the coaching in the world, you have to step up and make the right decisions. And that’s been the story of our season.”
Both are in Scottish Cup fourth-round action against fellow Premiership sides.
Hearts host Falkirk on Saturday (20:00 GMT) while St Mirren visit Livingston earlier in the day (15:00).
