Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Sean Clare's stoppage-time stunner snatched a late point against St Johnstone to lift Hearts off the foot of the Scottish Premiership.

Clare rattled in a phenomenal volley from distance to deny the eighth-place Perth victory.

The visitors led 2-1 at the interval when Liam Boyce's second goal in two games and a Steven Naismith header cancelled out Stevie May's opener.

Ali McCann trundled home before May struck from the penalty spot.

But Clare's brilliant late salvo ensured Hearts climbed off bottom spot on goal difference, with 11th-placed Hamilton Academical in action against Celtic on Sunday.

Hearts prove their mettle

The strides made by Hearts under Daniel Stendel are obvious, but for much of a riveting contest, St Johnstone found a way to lay bare their lingering flaws.

The visitors bossed the first half, the fit-again Naismith and John Souttar, burgeoning youngsters Andy Irving and Euan Henderson, the steel and composure of Toby Sibbick and the ruthlessness of Boyce overwhelming a tepid home side.

May's opener was a bolt from the blue, an awkwardly-hit shock against the run of play. Chris Kane bullied his way into possession, McCann belted off down the right and slid back for May to bobble - just - beyond Joel Pereira into the net.

Hearts were unfazed by the setback. Sibbick, a hulking presence in midfield, continued to reign supreme in the central skirmishes. He picked up possession after St Johnstone couldn't get rid of a corner, and from his neat low ball, Boyce pounced to flick home at the near post. His predatory instincts already look pivotal in Hearts' battle ahead to haul themselves up the table.

Five minutes later, they struck again, once more from a set-play. From Irvnig's free-kick, Naismith stole in to nod in Souttar's looping overhead effort from virtually right on the goalline.

From then on, the game belonged to St Johnstone. They came searing out of the traps at half-time imbued with vigour and precision.

May scurried on to a Liam Craig ball up the left flank, and slid back for McCann, whose rasping shot went through Pereira and into the net. The Hearts goalkeeper, confident when thundering out to sweep, is often an alarmingly suspect shot-stopper.

Play continued to surge towards his goal. David Wotherspoon slalomed magnificently in from the left and thundered across the face. Kane nipped in front of Souttar and prodded agonisingly wide. Tony Ralston smacked the crossbar from Michael O'Halloran's cut-back.

Hearts were reeling. Another goal felt imminent. In the end, it was a gift. Craig Halkett hauled down Jason Kerr at the back post and May fired in his second from the spot.

The St Johnstone dominance did not abate there. Souttar had to knock behind a vicious Wotherspoon delivery, and McCann should have killed the game when Pereira parried Kane's shot horribly to the midfielder's feet. Instead, the 20-year-old hoisted over. How he would live to rue that miss.

Hearts, at long, awoke from their slumber, Donis Avidjaj was unable to steer an Uche Ikpeazu square ball past Zander Clark from point-blank range.

Seldom did they look like crafting an equaliser, but suddenly, it arrived. And what a sensational strike it was, Clare lashing home on the volley from over 20 yards to sicken St Johnstone.

That's a late winner against Rangers and a stoppage-time equaliser against St Johnstone in successive matches. Stendel, undoubtedly, has much to do, but the new-found resilience of this Hearts team is compelling.

Man of the match - Stevie May

BBC Scotland's Tyrone Smith at McDiarmid Park

Today was the day we saw a return of the May of old. A swashbuckling performance - drive, desire, hard work and the return of his trademark goal-getting instincts.

But it wasn't just about his attacking intent. May covered every blade of grass, more than playing his part at the back too, in a game which will live long in the memories of everyone who was here.

'We were let down by officials' - reaction

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright: "We totally dominated the game and once again were let down by officials. Hearts had nothing second-half. If we'd have scored six, they couldn't have complained.

"It's our throw-in [in the build-up to Clare's goal]. The fourth official said 'blue, blue' but the referee overturned it. And there's a clear foul on Jamie McCart."

Hearts manager Daniel Stendel: "First-half, we played very well and controlled the game. At 2-1 at half-time, I said to my players to play the same and we would win. But I have no explanation for the second half.

"We can be happy we got one point in the end. Our defending was so bad in the second half. I need some time to understand what happened."