Tame stalemate but managers are happy
Hearts’ early-season surge towards the Championship title has developed into something of a stutter of late.
Their run of winless league games was extended to three as they battled out a goalless draw with fourth placed Dunfermline.
Manager Robbie Neilson, however, appeared satisfied with his team’s performance and remains content with the progress they are making in their title quest.
“Our objective at the start of the season was to win the league,” said Neilson afterwards.
“Today, we took a small step forward. We’d like to have taken a bigger step, but that puts Friday night’s game against Alloa fully into the headlights.
“We’re 10 points clear at the top and the Alloa game gives us the chance to go even further ahead.
“I thought we played well today. Dunfermline sat in and tried to hit us on the
counter-attack and, while we had a lot of possession, the final moment wasn’t there.”
The two sides had come into this game with specific points to prove, both having suffered early exits from the Scottish Cup.
Hearts, in particular, were still bearing the psychological scars of their ill-fated excursion to Brora, while Dunfermline were licking the raw wounds from their midweek thrashing at the hands of Fife rivals Raith.
A victory for either side would undoubtedly have been regarded, therefore, as the perfect way to recover from such disasters, but there was a surprising lack of urgency early on as the ball was passed around tamely amongst both sets of players.
The penny looked to have dropped – for the home side at any rate – in the 18th minute when Declan McManus threaded an exquisite pass through the Hearts defence to Scott Banks, who advanced unchallenged on goal before somehow contriving to direct his shot past Craig Gordon’s right-hand post.
Hearts debutant Shay Logan looked to be settling in well in his customary position on the right flank and his trademark long throws were adding an extra dynamic to the Tynecastle side’s attacking options.
However, with lone striker Liam Boyce being adequately
policed by Dunfermline’s towering Lithuanian defender Vytas Gaspuitis, there was little opportunity for the Northern Irish frontman to test Pars keeper Owain Fon Williams.
Boyce finally eluded his marker, latching on to the final act of a training ground move from a corner on the right only to send his shot high and wide.
The league leaders then had Gordon to thank for ensuring a blank interval scoresheet when he produced an outstanding one-handed save from Kevin O’Hara as half-time approached.
Gaspuitis took a break from his defensive duties shortly after the restart, venturing upfield before rattling Gordon’s crossbar with a powerful header from a Dom Thomas corner, while, at the other end, Boyce saw his header being matched by an excellent block by Fon Williams.
The hosts were denied a win in the closing stages when Gordon produced yet another excellent save, blocking Euan Murray’s header with his outstretched foot.
“This was the best type of game to face after Tuesday’s defeat,” said Pars boss Stevie Crawford. “I was delighted with the reaction of the players. We’ve kept a clean sheet and taken a point off the team which will probably win the league.”
DUNFERMLINE: (4-4-2) Fon Williams 6; Edwards 6, Gaspuitis 7, E Murray 7, Comrie 6; Banks 6 (F Murray 78, 2), Wilson 6, Mayo 6, Thomas 6; O’Hara 7 (Henderson 83, 2), McManus 7 (McCann 89, 2). Unused subs – Gill, MacDonald, Allan, McInroy. HEARTS:
(4-2-3-1) Gordon 7; Halkett 7, Logan 6, Haring 6, White 5 (Popescu (61, 5); Smith 6, Irving 6; McEnett 6 (Gnanduillet 70, 4), Henderson 5 (Naismith 65, 5), Mackay-Steven 6; Boyce 6. Unused subs – Stewart, Souttar, Walker, McGill.