Pride restored as Hearts leave dissapointed with a draw

Hibs dominated initial proceedings and deservedly lead at the break thanks to an OG from Christophe Berra.

Hearts always looked a threat and the impressive Andrew Driver showed David Murphy a clean pair of heels before cutting the ball back to Andrius Velicka, who fired narrowly wide.

Both sides then had their keepers to thank for keeping the scorline at 1-0 as first Basso denied Fletcher when clean through on goal, and then Yves

Ma-Kalamby denying Velicka at the other end seconds later.

Jambos would have been fearing the worst at half time however a different team emerged wearing maroon in the second half and were immediately on level terms when Christian Nade diverted the ball home from close range.

The game swung from end to end with various chances being missed at either end with Driver, Velicka and Pinilla all going close for the Jambos while Hibs'

Guilame Beuzellin had a header cleared of the line and Stephen Fletcher had an effort dissallowed after the referee spotted an infringement.

Andrew Driver gave Murphy a torrid time down the right

In the end both fans would be reasonably happy to live to fight another day with pride intact however there is no doubt Hearts had the chances to win the

match.

Pinilla in particular will be having nightmares about his chance late on after he failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

Driver also missed a great opportunity but fired wildly over right footed from 12 yards.

Overall a draw was a fair result in the end but both sides will walk away feeling they should have won the match.

Hearts have good forward players and it was good to see them deploy an adventurous 4-4-2 formation.

Nade is strong and can hold the ball up, while we know Velicka can finish, and Pinilla always looks capable of creating something.

Full marks again to Michael Stewart, who never stopped running, and also to Andrew Driver and Eggert Jonsson, all were excellent in midfield and overall it was a very good second half display.

Hearts fans will be hoping to see more of the same in the next few weeks as the Jambos look to improve their league position by the time Hibs visit

Tynecastle on the 19th January in the third Edinburgh Derby of the season.