Heart Of Midlothian 0 Motherwell 0

Last updated : 27 December 2003 By Footymad Previewer

This was a shocking advertisement for festive football with only one meaningful save in 90 minutes of abysmal action.

And to make matters worse that save came as early as the tenth minute when Gordon Marshall rolled back his 39 years to push Andy Kirk's long-range effort athletically around the post.

You thought that things would liven up after that but there was very little goalmouth action to speak of.

Craig Gordon had to look lively to clear a desperate back-pass from Robbie Neilson and Stephen Craigan and Marshall got caught in a muddle at the other end with the defender eventually managing to clear.

Kevin McKenna had a great chance when Robert Sloan's corner found its way to him just before half time. But the big man was sound asleep as the ball cannoned off his shins and out harmlessly for a goal kick.

Hearts introduced Jean Louis Valois and Mark De Vries after the break in an effort to make an impact and to be fair both had chances.

De Vries looked as though he had wriggled his way through the resolute Motherwell defence but youngster Paul Quinn came in from behind with a last-gasp challenge to deny the Dutchman.

Then Valois showed his French flair, drifting past two defenders only for his composure to desert him at the last moment as he screwed his shot wide of the right-hand post.

Hearts had late claims for a penalty quickly waved aside when Valios' free-kick hit the wall.

But in truth it would have been a travesty for either side to take all three points from such a poor encounter.