Zeljeznicar 0 Hearts 0 (Agg: 0-2)

By Lisa Gray, PA Sport, Sarajevo

Hearts booked their place in the draw for the second round of the UEFA Cup despite failing to find the back of the Zeljeznicar net in Bosnia.

Craig Levein's men headed into the return leg with a 2-0 advantage from the first game against Zeljeznicar at Tynecastle three weeks ago and had been hopeful of killing of the tie with an early goal in Sarajevo.

Instead, they were forced to soak up the pressure for most of the game as Zeljo created chance after chance in the Olympic Stadium but they also failed to score, allowing Hearts to progress in the competition.

Hearts held the upper hand from the first leg after goals from Mark de Vries and Andy Webster.

The Bosnians failed to create much in the way of chances last time but they clearly thought they should have been in the driving seat for the return leg at the Olympic Stadium and coach Amar Osim was sacked as a result of their defeat in Scotland.

That left new manager Milomir Odovic with a huge weight upon his shoulders ahead of tonight's game, with Zeljeznicar still hopeful that they could still progress in the UEFA Cup.

Hearts could have all but killed off the tie with just 32 seconds on the clock when Jean-Louis Valois released De Vries into the box and he only had goalkeeper Kenan Hasagic to beat but he raced off his line to deny the Dutchman the opener.

Despite such a nervous start to the game, Zeljeznicar recovered quickly and they enjoyed the best of the chances for the remainder of the first half.

Almir Gredic unleashed a shot from close range but Patrick Kisnorbo managed to intercept the effort and goalkeeper Tepi Moilanen was eventually able to smother the ball.

The home side were clearly boosted by that chance and they were threatening again when Sretko Vuksanovic tried to play the ball into the path of Adis Obad in the area but Moilanen managed to get to the ball first.

Zeljo were causing the most problems for Hearts down the right flank and Dzelaludin Muharemovic tried to exploit that weakness again but he was hauled down by Webster and the young Hearts defender became the first player of the game to be booked.

Hearts were clearly feeling frustrated at their lack of real chances and Valois followed Webster into the referee's book just a few minutes later.

The Bosnians were still creating more and Vuksanovic set up Muharemovic for a great chance but the home crowd were left holding their heads in despair when he fired just wide of the upright instead.

Zeljeznicar had ended the first period strongly and they came out after the restart determined to cause as many problems for Hearts but the Tynecastle outfit defended more vigilantly and the home side's chances were limited, despite their possession.

With Hearts 2-0 ahead from the first leg, Zeljo's frustration was starting to show and Obad was lucky to escape a caution when he pushed Kisnorbo after being fouled by the Australian.

When Hearts did manage to push forward, they were looking dangerous and they managed to put their hosts under pressure as the game approached the hour mark.

Webster was first to try his luck with a shot from just inside the 18-yard area - the effort was blocked by the Zeljeznicar goalkeeper but fell at the feet of Valois.

The Frenchman burst into the box and looked certain to open the scoring for Hearts but Hasagic somehow managed to tip the ball just wide of the goalmouth and the opportunity was lost.

Hearts were desperate for the goal that would all but book their place in the second round of the UEFA Cup and it almost came with just 15 minutes remaining.

De Vries tried to pick out Graham Weir at the far post for a golden opportunity but Hasagic managed to get to the ball first and clear the danger.

That proved to be Weir's last involvement in the game and he was replaced by Dennis Wyness as Hearts boss Craig Levein searched for inspiration up front.

That inspiration never came but Hearts managed to hold on for the goalless draw to allow them to progress to the second round of the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 aggregate win.

Teams:

Zeljeznicar Sarajevo Hasagic, Biscevic, Kajtaz, Mulalic, Alihodzic, Karic, Gredic (Joldic 77), Muharemovic, Jahic, Vuksanovic (Avdija 70), Obad (Dzeko 63).

Subs Not Used: Adilovic, Spahic, Rascic, Hadzic.

Booked: Mulalic, Karic.

Hearts Moilanen, Maybury, Pressley, Webster, Kisnorbo, Stamp (Hartley 83), MacFarlane, Severin, Valois, de Vries (McKenna 87), Weir (Wyness 74).

Subs Not Used: Gordon, McCann, Kirk, Simmons.

Booked: Webster, Valois, Moilanen.

Agg (0-2) Att: 20,000

Ref: Anton Stredak (Slovakia).

Taken from sportinglife.com