Jambos’ juggernaut held up by Arbroath
Arbroath boss Dick Campbell was pleased to see his side take a point off the runaway league leaders in a game in which clear goalscoring opportunities were few and far between.
The result gives the Lichties a five-point cushion over Alloa at the bottom of the table, but the Angus side are still rooted in the relegation play-off spot, three points adrift of safety, while Hearts are now 16 points clear at the top.
Campbell said: “We could have stolen the game and Hearts could have stolen it, so I think a draw is a fair result.
“I’m happy because we were able to contain them and keep a clean sheet. They didn’t hurt our goalie a lot.
“There are some tired legs in there and I’ll probably freshen things up for the Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk on Tuesday.
“But, remember, we are a part-time club up against a full-time club today.
“Hearts are a very good side, potentially the champions, so
I think any Arbroath fan would be delighted with our great performance today.
“We have a point more than we had at the start of the day, so let’s take a positive from that and we’ll move on to the final six games.”
The Tynecastle men enjoyed good possession in the early stages, but it was the Lichties who should have taken the lead in the 12th minute.
Ben Williamson cut in from the right and delivered a dangerous cross to the far post which Bobby Linn did well to clip into the path of Kris Doolan, but the Arbroath striker could only guide the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Linn, making his 300th appearance for the Gayfield men, looked lively throughout the opening half with a few darting runs which unsettled the Hearts defence, although he couldn’t quite deliver the end product his play deserved.
The game opened up more in the second period and Arbroath looked dangerous when Carlo Pignatiello surged into the Hearts box before blasting high over the crossbar.
But the visitors began to assert some authority, putting the home defence, superbly marshalled by Tom O’Brien and Ricky Little, under a period of sustained pressure.
Little did well to scoop a dangerous ball over his own crossbar and then cleared a Liam Boyce backheeler off the line after a drive from sub Gervane Kastaneer was blocked.
Armand Gnanduillet also came close with a header as the Jambos pressed for the opening goal.
Arbroath weathered the storm and weren’t slow in making counter-attacks although Craig Gordon was given very few anxious moments.
Hearts gaffer Robbie Neilson was relaxed about the outcome.
He said: “You have to show respect to Arbroath.
“They are a good side,they have an excellent home record and it’s tough coming up here.
“In the first half, we were playing into the wind and it was hard.
“We settled in the second half and managed to play some good football but didn’t convert the chances we had.
“Our objective is to win the league and we are in a good position to do that although there’s still work to do.
“We also have the Scottish Cup tie with Brora on Tuesday evening.
“We want to do well in that competition after reaching two finals in the past two years.
“We want something else to go for and the cup gives us that.”