Hearts won this committed battle between two clubs in crisis at a rain-lashed Love Street.

Scotland under-21 coach Peter Houston led Hearts following the midweek exit of boss Jim Jefferies, and his side edged out injury-ravaged St Mirren in a blood and thunder Scottish Premier League clash.

A controversial penalty from Scotland midfielder Colin Cameron and a breakaway goal from Scott Severin claimed the points for Hearts, who were made to sweat after Ricky Gillies's late reply for St Mirren, who were without 11 injured players.

The unrest at the Tynecastle club did not seem to upset the players, but it was all too evident due to the abusive chants directed at chief executive Chris Robinson by the travelling support.

Match-winner Severin had a mixed afternoon which began with a clash of heads with Lee Sharp after three minutes and a spell of treatment on the sidelines.

On his return a shaken Severin promptly miscontrolled the ball and clattered into St Mirren striker Mark Yardley and was kicked off by referee John Rowbottom.

Scotland defender Steven Pressley had the first shot at goal on 10 minutes with a solid effort straight at St Mirren goalkeeper Ian McCaldon, who was making his debut.

Three minutes later Gary Locke's inswinging cross was diverted narrowly wide by Hearts striker Andrew Kirk.

Hearts then controversially took the lead referee Rowbottom adjudged that Graham Fenton had brought down Locke during a melee in the area following a corner after 22 minutes. Cameron, who was impressive in midfield throughout, stepped up to fire low past McCaldon.

Hearts left-back Grant Murray then followed team-mate Locke into the book when he was cautioned on 33 minutes for scything down Yardley. From the resulting free-kick, Gordan Petric brilliantly cleared at the back post when under considerable pressure.

Fenton nearly made amends for conceding the penalty with two cracking shots which were both blocked by the commanding Pressley. A third effort from the former Leicester City striker slid wide after 40 minutes. Two minutes later Gillies's flashing header hit the post with visiting goalkeeper Antti Niemi motionless.

St Mirren kept pushing for an equaliser but managerless Hearts withstood the aerial bombardment to lead at the interval.

St Mirren nearly equalised straight after half time when Gillies produced a low drive which forced Niemi into a scrambling save. After 55 minutes a tricky run by Juanjo reaped a corner for Hearts. From the cross, Robert Tomaschek directed a header towards the bottom left-hand corner but two St Mirren defenders hacked it off the line.

Andy Kirk's follow-up was deflected wide. Five minutes later Juanjo, a thorn in St Mirren's side throughout the second half, beat three players before shooting weakly at McCaldon.

Tommy Turner's well-struck back-pass was sliced for a corner by McCaldon after 70 minutes. The keeper, who was making a fine debut, punched well from the corner to clear the danger.

Turner, moving forward from the back, shot powerfully from close range after 81 minutes, forcing Niemi to make a fine diving stop.

From the resulting corner, Hearts gave themselves a cushion by going 2-0 up through a classic breakaway goal.

Steve Fulton picked up the loose ball and sent the elusive Juanjo sprinting away down the right and his inviting cross was met by Severin at the far post on 82 minutes.

Gillies pulled one back for St Mirren when he fired past Niemi into the top left-hand corner after being put through by Jens Paeslack after 88 minutes. St Mirren pushed for a dramatic equaliser but the spirited Hearts side held on for a well-deserved victory.