Steven MacLean missed a penalty as St Johnstone drew a blank against 10-man Hearts at McDiarmid Park.
After a quiet opening spell, Steven Anderson had a great chance to give the hosts the lead on 25 minutes from a Liam Craig corner but headed straight into Hearts keeper Neil Alexander’s arms.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men three minutes later when Juanma was sent packing for a retaliatory head-butt towards David Wotherspoon.
There didn’t seem to be contact but the forward movement of the head was enough to deserve a straight red card from referee Kevin Clancy.
Now a man to the good the hosts should have been a goal to the good on the half-hour mark but Murray Davidson fired past from just eight yards out when found by a Darnell Fisher cutback.
They were struggling to break down Hearts but, on 79 minutes, St Johnstone were gifted a golden chance to get the goal they craved.
Hearts’ Miguel Pallardo fouled home sub Chris Kane inside the box when no danger threatened and up stepped MacLean to take it.
It wasn’t quite as bad as his miss from the spot against Dundee United last month but the ball still flew high over the bar.
The Jam Tarts held out to remain in third spot ahead of the Perth men.