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Mark Ridgers started in goal in a side showing three changes as Hearts took on St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League seeking to keep the race for a Europa League place alive.

Scotland under-21 international Ridgers replaced Jamie MacDonald after the 1-0 loss to Motherwell, while Rudi Skacel and Andrew Driver began in place of David Templeton and Mehdi Taouil.

St Johnstone, who required a point to seal fifth place ahead of Hearts, made two changes following their 1-0 loss to Celtic, with Dave Mackay and Marcus Haber coming in for Alan Maybury and Jamie Adams.

While Ridgers could represent the future for Hearts, it was a Tynecastle farewell for Ian Black after the midfielder was told his contract would not be extended, while manager Paulo Sergio's future remains uncertain beyond the William Hill Scottish Cup final.

Hearts pushed forward early on before Jody Morris fired narrowly wide at the other end.

Liam Craig was booked for a cynical challenge from behind on Driver after 12 minutes as the Hearts winger charged towards goal, but Black hit the resulting free-kick into the wall.

Former Hibernian forward Derek Riordan ventured from the Saints substitutes' bench to warm-up and received a torrent of abuse. Riordan scored the winner in May 2009 when Hibs last won an Edinburgh derby.

Soon Riordan's side were behind as Ryan McGowan attacked down the right and cut the ball back for Skacel to side-foot in after 22 minutes.

Steven Anderson blocked an effort from Suso Santana soon after before Skacel fired over following a corner as Hearts sought a second.

HT: Hearts 1 St Johnstone 0 A Craig corner found Anderson at the back post and his header down was helped towards goal by Murray Davidson, whose effort was blocked on the line by Black.

McGowan ventured forward once more, but sliced an attempted cross out of play.

Hearts looked the more likely to score again but required the assistant referee's flag to remain level when Haber tapped in from an offside position.

An unmarked Marius Zaliukas headed off target from a Black corner when he should have scored.

Ridgers palmed away Mackay's cross from Haber and Sheridan and then saved from Callum Davidson as the full-back attempted to power in the rebound before Sheridan shot wide as Saints finished the half on the attack.

INTRO: Rudi Skacel's 16th goal of the season gave Hearts a half-time lead over St Johnstone in today's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Tynecastle.

Hearts were seeking to leapfrog Saints into fifth place in the table and continue the race for Europa League football, and took the initiative when Skacel converted Ryan McGowan's cross after 21 minutes.

Ian Black, making his final Tynecastle appearance, blocked Saints midfielder Murray Davidson's header following a corner as Hearts had the better of the opening half.

With Darren Barr off receiving treatment, Morris had another long-range strike which Ridgers claimed at the second attempt.

Barr was unable to continue, with Scott Robinson introduced.

Hearts were 2-0 ahead after 58 minutes following an inswinging free-kick from ex-Saints left-back Danny Grainger.

The visitors failed to deal with the ball and it dropped for Andy Webster to prod in from close range.

Zaliukas headed wide from a Black corner soon after as set-pieces continued to trouble Saints, who replaced Millar with Riordan with 29 minutes to go. Adams also came on, with Murray Davidson departing.

Sheridan was unable to direct a Riordan corner towards goal and Grainger blocked a shot from the former Hibs forward before Haber headed wide from another set-piece as Saints tried to find a way back into the contest.