Honours even in Edinburgh derby

Honoured ended even in this afternoon's Edinburgh derby here at Tynecastle, as both teams fought for their lives only to see the game end scoreless.

The first derby of the season created an electric atmosphere at Tynecastle as both sides battled, not just for three points, but for bragging rights in the city . Hearts made three changes to the side which lost to Motherwell. Captain Michael Stewart returned with Jason Thomson and Arvydas Novikovas in the starting line-up, David Obua and Craig Thomson dropped to the bench and Eggert Jonsson was suspended after his dismissal at Fir Park.

A minute's silence was observed before the match in honour of Remberance Sunday and both sets of fans showed the occasion the respect it deserved. Once the game got underway the Tynecastle faithful didn't have to wait too long for their team's first effort of the game; it came within two minutes when a long throw in from Goncalves was headed towards goal by Nade, but it was put behind for a corner.

Hearts were the livelier of the two sides in the first half and in the eighteenth minute Michael Stewart started some good build up play inside his own half. The captain had a quick one-two with Black, before passing to Novikovas, who laid the ball off for Stewart. The passage of play deserved a goal at the end, but unfortunately Stewart's shot went just wide.

A few minutes later saw the first yellow card of the match which was dished out to Anthony Stokes in the 24th minute after a second late challenge against captain Stewart.

Hearts continued to push forward, this time Ian Black found the ball on the edge of the box but his powerful shot was deflected over the bar, earning Hearts a corner. A few minutes later the home side earned a free kick 25 yards out when John Rankin fouled Nade. Ian Black stepped up to take it but his effort came straight off the Hibs wall.

The attacking play in the first half was all about Hearts and Hibs had few chances.

Andrew Driver earned them a free kick right on the edge of the box in the 42nd minute when he was brought down. Nade stepped up to take it and his curling shot deflected off the Hibs wall for a corner. It was the last of the real action for the first-half and the Tynecastle faithful were pleased with their side's efforts in the first 45 minutes.

Both sides emerged for the second half with no changes to the line-up and Hearts started right back where they left, attacking the away goal. Andrew Driver had an effort comfortably saved by Graham Stack within the first minute of the re-start then Novikovas had his over-head effort blocked.

In the 57th minute Hearts earned another free kick on the edge of the Hibs area when the ball was cleared out the box and handled by Anthony Stokes. Novikovas was the player to step up this time, but again his shot deflected off the Hibs wall for a corner.

Hearts continued to attack the Hibs goal but were struggling to create real chances and find the the killer touch to capitalise on their efforts leading towards goal; credit must also go to the Hibs defence who held off all efforts well.

In the 62nd minute substite Derek Riordan found himself with the ball in the Hearts box after a flick on by Colin Nish, his shot was deflected and the subsequent danger was cleared by Goncalves.

A couple of minutes later Hibs fans thought they were in the lead after David Wotherspoon hit a shot in from the right which dipped over Balogh, he produced a magnificent save as he managed to get a hand to the ball and deflect it onto the post. The game was end-to-end with neither team giving the other a minute to settle.

Hearts made their first change in 66 minutes when Arvydus Novikovas left the field to be replaced by Gary Glen. The young Lithuanian played well in what was his first derby and first start of the season and his efforts were not ignored by the Tynecastle faithful who gave him the applause he deserved.

The pace of the match didn't slow and in the 68th minute a shot in from Riordan was pushed round the post by Balogh, the subsequent corner lead to a scramble in the Hearts box before the ball went out for another corner. Hearts couldn't clear the ball and it fell to John Rankin who blasted his shot over.

In the 72nd minute Hearts made their second substitution of the game with David Obua replacing Ian Black.

Hibs were getting more into the game and Derek Riordan was continuing to be a threat, the midfielder hit a powerful shot towards the Hearts goal in the 76th minute but Balogh took two touches to save.

Hearts made their final substitution of the game in the 79th minute with Christian Nade being replaced by Jamie Mole. The striker had played well but fresh legs for the last ten minutes were what the Jambos needed.

With both teams still fighting for all three points, the game was tense and Ian Murray earned the second yellow of the match in the 81st minute of the game for a late challenge on substitute Jamie Mole. Andrew Driver swung in the free kick and it was headed out for a corner.

Both teams continued to push for a winner and with three minutes of injury time Gary Glen had a shot from just outside the box which was spilled by Stack , Mole went in for the rebound and looked to be brought down by Stack, all those following the men in Maroon were screaming for a penalty but the referee waved play on. Replays showed it had been the right call by Mr Conroy.

This was to be the last of any real action in what was an action packed Edinburgh derby and a vastly improved performance from Hearts.

Hearts: Balogh; J Thomson, Bouzid, Goncalves, Wallace; Black (Obua 72), Stewart, Palazuleos, Driver; Novikovas (Glen, 66), Nade Mole, 79). Subs not used: Kello, C Thomson, Obua, Kucharski, Mole, Mulrooney, Glen.

Hibs: Stack; Hogg, Murray, Bamba, Rankin; McBride, Miller, Wotherspoon, Stokes, Nish, Benjalloun (Riordan, 56). Subs not used: Ma-Kalamby, Cregg, Riordan, Thicot, Byrne, Galbraith, Hanlon.

Referee: Steve Conroy

Top man: Michael Stewart

Hearts World