Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

David Milinkovic's strike 39 seconds into the second half earned Hearts victory against 10-man St Johnstone.

Saints had a number of first-half chances with Chris Kane unfortunate to see a volley strike the crossbar.

Milinkovic's winner was his fifth of the season, pouncing on a break of the ball to finish.

Jon McLaughlin produced a number of key saves to keep the visitors out before a second yellow card for David Wotherspoon ended their challenge.

Hearts remain fifth in the Premiership, seven points adrift of Edinburgh rivals Hibernian.

The home side had not beaten St Johnstone at Tynecastle since August 2015 and Craig Levein's side had the bulk of early possession without making real inroads to the Saints defence.

It was the visitors who looked much sharper going forward and the home fans had goalkeeper McLaughlin to thank after he turned Wotherspoon's disguised free-kick around the post.

The Hearts stopper was a key figure and was called upon again as he raced from his line to deny striker Kane, who had run clear after beating the offside trap.

Hearts manager Craig Levein oversaw another clean sheet - their ninth in 11 games

Saints' last four wins have been on the road and they looked extremely dangerous when given the opportunity to get forward.

The pitch was greasy and a slip by Hearts full-back Connor Randall allowed the visitors another opportunity.

Scott Tanser pounced but his left-foot shot was pushed wide by McLaughlin and Kane knocked the rebound into the side netting on the slide.

Hearts looked laboured going forward as the crowd became increasingly uneasy watching the flow of play.

Confidence was oozing from the Saints players and no more than with Kane, who was looking to add to his tally after scoring a hat-trick in the midweek Scottish Cup win over Albion Rovers.

He showed tremendous skill with a right-foot volley on the turn that crashed off the crossbar and away.

Tommy Wright's side then claimed for a penalty after Jason Kerr's header appeared to come of the arm of Hearts captain Christophe Berra.

Hearts made a change at the break with Michael Smith replacing Randall and they quickly took the lead.

Demetri Mitchell floated in a cross from the left that the Saints defence failed to clear and Milinkovic gained control and turned to fire low beyond Alan Mannus.

It was a severe blow for St Johnstone, who must have felt they had done enough to be ahead at that point.

Wotherspoon's game ended after 62 minutes

Their task became harder when Wotherspoon received a second booking for a reckless challenge on Hearts debutant Joaquim Adao.

It seemed that would end their challenge but they continued to threaten with McLaughlin equal to Blair Alston's angled drive.

Kyle Lafferty passed up a glorious chance when Milinkovic played the Northern Irishman through, his shot hitting the side netting.

And, in a pulsating finish, Richard Foster fired in a left-foot volley that McLaughlin clutched on the goal line.

Post-match reaction

Hearts manager Craig Levein: "St Johnstone were slightly better than us in the first half and then I think we were better than them in the second.

"They ask questions of your centre-backs. They turned us, they put the ball in high, they threw long throws into the box. These are all legitimate ways of winning matches and you've got to deal with them.

"John Souttar, Christophe Berra and Jon McLaughlin stood up in that particular area.

"[McLaughlin] has had a lot of decent offers from down south, which is much more money than we can afford to pay but you never know.

"We're trying our best. The door is still open for him to stay."