Berwick Rangers 0 Hearts 0

Hearts, fielding a weakened side, drew 0-0 with Berwick Rangers at Shielfield Park today.

George Burley called upon the kids for this tussle in England with John Coughlin's Berwick Rangers. Amongst the lads starting this one were Craig Sives, Marco Pelosi, Gary Tierney and John Neill.

The only recognised senior players who featured were Berra, Mikoliunas, and Wyness.

Berwick included three former Hearts players David Murrie, Robbie Horn and Garry O'Connor.

Saulius Mikoliunas looked lively in the first period and he combined with Dennis Wyness a number of times. The Lithuanian midfielder was caught by surprise after seven minutes when Pelosi's cross found him only five yards out. Alas the ball bounced off him rather than him driving it home.

Mika then turned provider after 15 minutes when he charged up the park, looked to go alone and then fed Wyness at the edge of the area. He took a touch, turned out onto his right and bent a fine shot around the post.

Dennis Wyness then had a solo effort when he dug the ball out from the edge of the area. His daisy-cutter scraped past the post.

Shortly before the break Hearts should have had a penalty when Marco Pelosi chipped the ball over Mark Cowan, only to be brought down. As the referee said 'no' to the spot kick call Dennis Wyness had a chance to shoot, but keeper Coyle blocked well.

Berwick had the best of the opening period of the second half and had two good opportunities. First of all a Chris Gray cross found Kevin Gordon who headed wide with Jamie MacDonald stranded.

And then the provider had a go himself from the edge of the area. His bash bought off a good save from MacDonald.

Substitute Jamie Mole had two great chances, late on, when he charged through on goal but at both attempts he snatched and missed, not forcing a save from Cowan. It was a poor afternoon's entertainment but a useful exercise for the young lads who featured for the first time under George Burley.

Berwick: Coyle; Murie, Horn, Cowan, Henderson; Arthur, Little, McLeish, Gray; Hutchison, Gordon. Subs: Trialist, McGarty, Trialist, Trialist, O'Connor, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Burke, Greenhill.

Hearts: MacDonald; Sives (Thomson, 54), Tierney, Berra, Pelosi (J Armstrong, 46); Mikoliunas (Hamilton, 68), Brellier (D Armstrong, 46), Neill, Hamill, Thorarinsson (Divine, 54), Wyness (Mole, 46). Subs not used: Bjornsson.

Referee: Mike Tumilty

Hearts World