For spells in this game it wasn’t going to script for Hearts.
But when you can ‘Bend it like Kingsley’ - they were always likely to get the ending they craved.
St Mirren performed well and the plot twist should have been them going in front at Tynecastle.
But after Gary Mackay-Steven’s second half opener, Stephen Kingsley took a starring role with a brilliant free-kick to ensure all the credits stayed in Gorgie.
The defender has scored four goals this season, three of them dead ball specials.
And his gaffer Robbie Neilson needed it to seal the points that took them second top of the Premiership.
Hearts were booed off by their own fans at half-time despite drawing 0-0.
And the crowd were getting restless before they broke the deadlock.
Afterwards, Neilson praised Kingsley’s technique and told his players that dealing with the pressure to entertain is part of being at such a big club.
He said: “Kingsley’s a great asset and to be fair to the kid, he practices all the time after training. He’s got real quality in that left foot.
“Do the crowd have to be more patient? No, that’s part and parcel of playing at Tynecastle.
“They pay their money to be entertained and see goals. In the first half, we got into areas but didn’t have the final moment or pull the trigger.
“In the second half we were a lot more free-flowing.
“We’re pleased to be second because St Mirren are a very good team, they press really well and stop you playing."
After a brilliant start to the campaign, Hearts’ confidence was dented by losing at Motherwell last time out - and it was evident early on here.
Neilson shuffled his pack but on a freezing cold day, they were slow out the blocks.
St Mirren were sharper, pressing Hearts high up the pitch.
And the home side needed Scotland 'keeper Craig Gordon to deny Saints from point blank range.
From a Jamie McGrath corner, Charles Dunne found himself on the deck but hooked a left-foot shot that was kept out superbly by Gordon’s legs.
The Tynecastle crowd couldn't get going, just like Neilson’s players.
Richard Tait had the ball in the net for St Mirren but before the break but it was ruled out for offside, much to his manager’s frustration.
Hearts were fortunate to be level but the fear for Saints was that they HAD to improve in the second half.
And from the restart, there was far more urgency and purpose about them.
Their starting position was 10 yards up the pitch which allowed them to get more bodies into danger areas.
Barrie McKay robbed Marcus Fraser in his own half and picked out a stunning ball to Mackay-Steven at the back post.
His volley looked net-bound but Alnwick pulled off a wonder save to deny him.
The game was opening up and the visitors still looked dangerous.
In fact, how they weren’t in front before the hour mark was anyone’s guess.
First, the move of the match ended with McGrath forcing Gordon into a fantastic one-handed save.
From the resultant corner, Fraser’s bullet header was stopped on the line by Boyce and as the Paisley side smelt blood, sub Kyle McAllister fired in a shot that was tipped over by Hearts’ skipper.
To be fair, both ‘keepers were excellent.
Michael Smith should have buried a chance for the Jambos from McKay's pass - but Alnwick saved from close range.
Unfortunately for Goodwin, there was nothing his goalie could do about the Jambos’ opener moments later.
McKay was probing again and when his cross was blocked it fell perfectly for Mackay-Steven who wrong-footed Alnwick to slot into the corner.
That relieved the pressure on Hearts and with 15 minutes to go, they put the game to bed.
Goodwin wasn’t happy again when ref Alan Muir awarded a free-kick against Dunne for pulling Boyce.
But Kingsley still had plenty to do from 22 yards and he curled a magnificent, curling shot away from Alnwick into the top bin.
St Mirren’s misery was complete when captain Joe Shaughnessy was sent off near the end for a second bookable offence when he tripped Cammy Devlin.
Kingsley stepped up again - but this time fluffed his lines.
