No goals from the first Edinburgh Derby of the season, and precious little by way of goal-mouth chances to cheer either set of supporters. The draw however sees Hibernian stretch their undefeated run to seven games, and for all they did not play well at Tynecastle there were never any real signs that Hearts could spoil that record. Indeed the best effort of a game bereft of real opportunities was created by the most inexperienced player on the park, David Wotherspoon topping a fine performance with a stunning effort that needed a great save and the woodwork to spoil his day.

Injury forced Hibernian manager John Hughes into making three changes with Sol Bamba and Merouane Zemmama dropping out completely, while Derek Riordan was judged fit enough to take up a place on the bench rather than the starting line-up. The injured trio's places in the side were filled by Lewis Stevenson, Colin Nish and John Rankin.

There were no fewer than five Hibernian players sampling the full Edinburgh Derby for the first time -Stack, McBride, Miller, Stokes and David Wotherspoon. Ahead of Remembrance Sunday there was a minute's silence before kick off, impeccably observed by both sets of supporters. The home side got the action underway and as expected the early action was frantic with both teams fully committed in the tackle. Hearts were the first to threaten, winning a corner kick in only the second minute - but Nish was on hand to head the clear to safety.

A turn and shot from Novikovas in the 11th minute forced Stack into action for the first time in the match but the shot lacked any real power to beat the Hibernian goalkeeper who gathered comfortably. Former Hibernian midfielder Stewart went close soon after following good link up play on the right from the home side, however the Hearts captain could only look on in frustration as he dragged his shot across goal and just wide.

On 25 minutes Stokes picked up a silly booking for a late challenge on Stewart. The Hibernian striker looked to have been fouled in the build up but he let his frustration get to him when he did not get the decision he was after and clattered the Hearts midfielder. Seconds later a powerful shot from Novikovas was deflected just over the top of Stack's goal for a Hearts corner kick that came to nothing.

A clumsy challenge from Hogg on Nade on the edge of the Hibernian penalty resulted in the award of a free kick in a dangerous position to the home side on 32 minutes. The execution from Black left a lot to be desired as he could not get beyond the defensive wall. With one-third of the match gone Hibernian had yet to offer anything in attack, and yet they looked strong at the back where Stack had barely seen any action. Without the services of wide men Zemmama and Riordan, the Easter Road side were struggling to get any width to their play, the reliance being on Nish holding the ball up for Stokes or Benjelloun - but all too often the ball was not sticking.

Hibernian's first chance of any description came after 37 minutes when Stevenson's cross was flicked on by Nish to Stokes, but the striker was stretching to get the ball and he was only able to direct it into the grateful arms of Balogh. Hibernian continued to be guilty of giving away needless fouls on the edge of their penalty area with Rankin's challenge on Driver the latest on 43 minutes. Fortunately the Hearts attack appeared to lack any sort of conviction and never posed any sort of threat from such dead-ball situations - any more than they had from open play.

Half Time: Heart of Midlothian 0 Hibernian 0

Neither team made any changes during the interval but slack passing in the midfield was almost punished by Hearts on the counter attack in the opening seconds, Driver racing away before cutting onto his left foot and trying to curl a shot around Stack but his effort lacked the pace to beat the goalkeeper.

There was concern on the Hibernian bench when Benjelloun went down following a poor challenge from Black, thankfully the knock did not appear as bad as it looked and Benji was able to continue. A deep cross from Stevenson picked out Hogg in an advanced position arriving at the back post but the captain's looping header back across goal dropped wide of the target. It was however a sign that this half the visitors might make an impression at the sharp end.

On 52 minutes a cross from the right by Thomson was glanced towards goal by the head of Black and although the former Inverness midfielder's effort was beyond Stack, it was also well off target. Black had another go at goal not long after but this time his right foot shot was straight at Stack who saved easily. Hibernian's first change of the afternoon saw Riordan replace Benjelloun on 55 minutes, but the striker had barely been on the field 60 seconds when Hearts were awarded a free kick on the edge of the visitor's penalty area. Any concern was again short-lived as the home side combined to make a complete hash of the situation.

Hibernian then almost opened the scoring from a spectacular run and shot from Wotherspoon on 64 minutes, a rare piece of individual skill that was matched by the Hearts goalkeeper. Cutting out a pass intended for Driver inside the Hibernian half, the full back raced forward evading a couple of challenges before letting fly with a vicious right foot effort. The ball glanced off Colin Nish but superb adjustment by Balogh allowed the goalkeeper to touch the ball onto the inside of the post - and out to safety.

Not long after the home side made their first change when Novikovas was replaced by Glen. Balogh was forced to make another fine save to keep his side level when an effort from Riordan looked to be sneaking in at the front post, but the goalkeeper got down to push it wide with his finger tips as Hibernian were finally making inroads on the Hearts goal. Hibernian were enjoying their best period in the match and after the ball dropped to Rankin on the edge of the Hearts penalty area the midfielder should have done better with his strike at goal. Snatching at the ball Rankin sent his effort well over the top with the defence struggling to get near.

Hearts second change came on 82 minutes when the hard working Black was replaced by Obua. After a nervous start to the game Wotherspoon was in fantastic form and his rampaging runs down the right hand side were causing Driver and Wallace a lot of trouble. The home defence was looking vulnerable as Hibernian poured pressure on top of the Hearts back line. A great pass from Miller picked out Riordan on the edge of the penalty area, the striker bringing the ball down on his chest before firing a left foot volley towards goal that Balogh gathered at the second attempt.

With 10 minutes remaining Hearts made their final change when Mole replaced Nade. It did not take the substitute long to become involved and Murray was yellow carded for a poor tackle on the Hearts man. In the first of three minutes of time added on for stoppages the home side claimed for a penalty kick after Mole when down after slipping the ball beyond goalkeeper Stack, referee Conroy was unmoved however and waved play on much to the disgust of the home support.

With seconds remaining Driver was booked for a foul on Miller and Hibernian were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Riordan took the kick but his effort was over the top.

Heart of Midlothian: Balogh, Wallace, Goncalves, Palazuelos, Black, Driver, Nade, Novikovas, Jason Thomson, Bouzid, Stewart. Subs: Kello, Kucharski, Obua, Mole, Glen, Mulrooney, Craig Thomson.

Hibernian: Stack, Hogg, Stevenson, Murray, McBride, Miller, Wotherspoon, Benjelloun, Rankin, Nish, Stokes. Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Cregg, Riordan, Thicot, Byrne, Galbraith, Hanlon.

Referee: Steve Conroy.

Attendance: 16,762

Report: Richard Payne