Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

A really front-foot start to the second half by Hearts - they started to smell blood as half-time approached and they have re-emerged from the break looking for a second goal that would probably kill this game.

Hearts enjoying some decent pressure at the start of this second period.

It's very patient and they are keeping the ball, further extending the frustrations of the home crowd.

The second half begins with Aberdeen in possession.

Image source, SNS

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

This game hasn't been a classic but it has been an intriguing watch.

After their Champions League toweling at the hands of Sturm Graz, a few questions were being asked of the Hearts players - well they are halfway towards answering a few of those.

Aberdeen have been OK - but two of the problems that haunted them last term - a lack of cutting edge and a propensity to shoot themselves in the foot at the back - have cost them so far.

Image source, SNS

St Mirren head coach Craig McLeish told BBC Scotland: "This is a really hard place to come and we showed quality on the ball at times, we counter attacked well, which was part of our game plan, and we dug in and fought when we had to.

"We could have had one or two more goals if the final action had been a bit better but I'm absolutely delighted with the group. The boys coming off the bench gave us real energy.

"We kind of get away with one with the disallowed goal and that would have been a sucker punch because we were quite comfortable at points.

"We were scoring goals in the cup and today we created good chances. That was the bit that was missing last season.

"We have to keep the core of what has made St Mirren successful in the last few years. We have to be hard to play against and defensively solid. A clean sheet gets us off to a good start with that.

"There's a bit of uncertainty after playing lower league opposition in the cup, so when it comes together like that on day one, it's such a good feeling."

Image source, SNS

Falkirk manager John McGlynn tells BBC Scotland: "Have we done enough to really say that we deserve to win that game? Probably not. We've not created enough, we need a little bit more quality. But early days, there's always going to be a quick turnaround. But we have to pick up points quickly.

"[Goals are] the hardest thing to get. Big Barney [Stewart] was on fire last season and Calvin Miller was a big player for us with the number of assists that he got.

"[Those players] are hard to find. We've been trying and maybe in time it'll come but obviously today, we have to concede that we didn't have that today.

"We're not going to panic. Certainly, we're disappointed. We're naive on the pitch. We need to learn and grow up a little bit quicker, but we're not pressing any panic buttons. We know we need to do better than that.

"I would imagine we'll get another couple [of players in], I think we'll get another couple for sure."

Image source, SNS

Let's get some reaction from today's earlier Scottish Premiership game...

Exactly the first half Hearts would have wanted with a lead to protect in the second period.

Oisin McEntee's strike broke the deadlock and Aberdeen have struggled to build on their promising opening spell.

Image source, SNS

One minute of added time begins.

Up the other end, Afeez Aremu gets plenty power in his shot but it's well over.

Amadou Ba-Sy is off target with a shot after a decent spell of possession from Hearts.

The visitors have struggled to get Claudio Braga in to this game but he was in amongst it in the box there.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen have a free-kick opportunity on the left-hand side.

Connor Ronan lines it up and, well, that one would have been more at home at Murrayfield.

More groans from the home fans and there have been a few boos as well.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

Huge blow for Aberdeen.

It wasn't a thing of beauty. Aberdeen had three opportunities to clear and they failed to do that, so defensively poor from the Dons.

You have to be sharper, you have to anticipate it.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts & Hibs midfielder on BBC Scotland

It's a little bit scrappy but it's very welcome for Hearts. They get the first contact, get on to the loose ball and it lands for McEntee.

It's so important for the belief and the confidence. The way this game has played out so far, it feeds into Hearts' positivity.

Had they gone 1-0 down, though, you'd have focused on them being too open. Now they can focus on the positives.

Image source, SNS

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie

The away support are in fine voice after Hearts open the scoring.

Aberdeen had a few chances to clear the ball away but didn't and were punished.

Aberdeen's Brad Lyons is stretching as he catches Hearts' Laurent Mendy and the home midfielder gets booked.

No real complaints with that one.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts & Hibs midfielder on BBC Scotland

I'm surprised at Aberdeen's move for Chris Cadden, because it feels like for like with Nicky Devlin.

They're both coming to the latter stages of their career. Is it purely a preference from the manager? It's a little bit of a strange one, when you've got someone of Devlin's experience already here.

Maybe the manager simply doesn't fancy him.

Image source, SNS

And now, a shot on target.

Hearts midfielder Blair Spittal is no stranger to the spectacular strike but this one is a straightforward take for Aberdeen goalkeeper Marius Muller.

Biggest chance so far as Kevin Nisbet's header at an Aberdeen corner bounces wide.

It was a packed penalty box and it just needed a touch from one of the runners at the back post.