Hearts vs Hibernian. Scottish Cup Fifth Round.
TynecastleAttendance16,971.
Monday 13 February 2017 15:03, UK
Hibernian forced their Edinburgh rivals Hearts into a Scottish Cup fifth-round replay, with Sunday's game finishing scoreless at Tynecastle.
Both sides had one clear opportunity to score in the first half, with Esmael Goncalves missing a second-minute opening for the hosts.
Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton was forced into a double save from Jason Cummings and Grant Holt on the brink of half-time.
Despite the game being competitive, the second half was scrappy and uneventful which means, like last year, the Edinburgh rivals will play out a replay on February 22.
In a first half full of heavy challenges with the pitch cutting up badly, Hearts nearly took the lead in the second minute as Goncalves was slipped through into the penalty box from a powerful pass by Lennard Sowah.
Ofir Marciano in goal did well to narrow down the angle and blocked the shot in what was Hearts' best chance of the match.
The Scottish Championship outfit were the more dominant as the half progressed with Holt in particular causing problems with his hold-up play.
It was the former Norwich and Nottingham Forest striker who squeezed through two Hearts defenders before teeing the ball up for Cummings to hit with his left foot a minute from half-time.
His curled effort aimed into the bottom corner was smartly saved by Hamilton who parried the strike away to his right. The ball then hit Holt directly but Hamilton could jump up and catch the bouncing ball heading goalbound.
The second half was lacking in clear goalscoring openings with Holt again having the best chance to give the Scottish Championship leaders the opening goal.
In the 77th minute, a long ball over the top from James Keatings was met by Cummings in space on the left flank. After some strong hold-up play, the 21-year-old drilled a cross through the legs of Aaron Hughes meaning Holt had to stretch for the ball, but his effort went just wide of Hamilton's left post.
Hibs dominated possession in the second half but could not break the deadlock, with Hearts' centre backs Hughes and Tasos Avlontis showing impressive organisation in defending set-pieces.
Despite the poor pitch and the game's lack of chances, Hibs will be the happier of the team as they get set to do battle again at Easter Road in ten days' time.
