Hearts manager Jim Jefferies was pleased with his team's spirit

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies was delighted at his side's second-half fightback for a point after going into the break 1-0 down to St Mirren.

Graham Carey's spectacular free-kick had given the home side the lead as Hearts battled to secure a place in the Scottish Premier League top six.

However, Marius Zaliukas headed an equaliser moments into the second half to secure a point.

"We asked them to lift it and not feel sorry for themselves," said Jefferies.

"We came to win the game. We know it's a difficult place to come, they're fighting for their lives, the pitch is a bit bobbly and we tried to get it down to pass it.

"It's a good point after being 1-0 down at half-time because the boys didn't deserve to be down.

"We felt Marius Zaliukas won a great ball in the air - the referee saw something else, gave a free-kick and it was just a wonder-strike from Carey.

"We defended well enough, we snuffed out their aerial threat of Billy Mehmet and Michael Higdon and made a couple of chances ourselves, especially in the second half.

"The players got off to a great start to the second half and I thought we were better. We worked harder and competed better and I thought we were thoroughly deserving of at least a point."

Jefferies hopes his side can push on from here and secure a place in the top six, although he is setting his sights much higher for next season.

"Being in sixth place is not acceptable for Hearts, we know that. This club should be up challenging for third or fourth - they're a big club," he said. "I'll probably have that expectation next season.

"But sixth place is what we've got to try and get because we want to be in there.

"It would be great to get into the top six and give everyone a lift with the games to follow after that.

"But Hearts would have been in the top six long ago if they hadn't had so many injuries. We're missing a lot of key players."

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