Stephen Frail admitted third place could be beyond his Hearts side as their prospects of reaching the top six were dealt a blow by St Mirren.The Jambos have maintained hope of pushing for a place in Europe next season, however the 1-1 draw in Paisley left them in seventh place in the Scottish Premier League, three points behind sixth-placed Falkirk who won at Inverness.

Hearts have three games in which to leapfrog the Bairns, who they face at Tynecastle next Saturday, and securing a top-half finish is now the main objective for Frail.

Saulius Mikoliunas rescued a point for Hearts with a late equaliser, after Jim Hamilton had given the home side just before the hour mark.

"No, I'm not pleased with a point," said Frail.

"It does not feel like a win. We came here to win and everyone associated with Heart of Midlothian Football Club will see it as points dropped.

"Our aim is to end the season in the top six and with our result going against us today, Europe might be out of reach now.

"But to be honest we just need to stay focused for the next game against Falkirk and try to win that game.

"When you consider we were second-bottom of the SPL at one stage we have to say that it's not been a successful season. We just have to knuckle down and get on with it."

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson was full of praise for Craig Dargo who set up Hamilton for his goal.

Dargo was recruited in the summer as a goalscorer but has yet to open his account.

Injury kept him sidelined for a long stretch and MacPherson is convinced Dargo is making a significant contribution, even if he has been unable to get on the scoresheet.

MacPherson said: "Dargo played well again, he was very creative. I can't tell you a better playmaker right now.

"He's created the last three goals we have scored.

"We're very disappointed to lose the goal. I didn't see it coming and I felt the boys were in control, but there was always a danger when you play Hearts with their physical element."

St Mirren's attention now turns to their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against St Johnstone, which takes place on Tuesday at Love Street.

"Considering the hard pitch and the swirling wind I think Tuesday will be a typical cup tie," MacPherson said.

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