Scotland's match of the day failed to live up to it's billing, but Hearts won't care that this was such a disappointing 0-0 encounter since the draw keeps them nine points clear of Dunfermline in third place.
Although they gave their all, the Fifers lacked the extra quality that would have been supplied by injured strikers Stevie Crawford and Craig Brewster and were unable to repeat December's victory over Hearts, leaving the Scottish Cup and possibly the InterToto Cup as their only routes into Europe next season.
With four first team regulars available again, after missing the midweek cup win at Clyde, Pars Boss Jimmy Calderwood opted to restore them at the expense of the youngsters who did so well on Tuesday.
His decision almost paid off in the third minute when returning striker Noel Hunt controlled Richie Byrne's cross with his chest before volleying just over from 18 yards.
A perfectly weighted long pass from Phil Stamp nearly released Kevin McKenna for Hearts, but Dunfermline were soon back on the attack with Greg Shields, another midweek absentee, whipping in three tempting crosses from the right. The first missed Hunt's head by a fraction, the second found no takers, and the third allowed Derek Young to test Heart's keeper Craig Gordon with a low drive.
The visitors then won a free-kick 25 yards out, which youngster Robert Sloan curled narrowly wide with his left foot.
Sloan's next involvement was less impressive, however, as his wild miss-kick was pounced on by Darren Young, whose first time shot forced Gordon into a fine diving stop.
Hearts improved slightly after half-time and McKenna attempted an ambitious chip from long range.
The best chances continued to fall to Dunfermline with Barry Nicholson hooking the ball wide and man of the match Shields rattling the post with a fizzing right foot rocket.
Even in the dying minutes, Scott Thompson and Andrew Tod both missed decent opportunities for the Pars as Hearts clung on to the result that they wanted.