Aberdeen endured a frustrating day in front of goal as Hearts held out for a point at Pittodrie.

Ryan Jack did not make the most of the Dons' first real chance after getting in behind the Hearts defence.

Scott Vernon then struck the visitors' crossbar as the hosts finished the first half strongly.

Hearts created little but almost snatched a dramatic victory when Andy Driver's drive hit the post deep into injury time.

John McGlynn's side preserve their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premier League, while Aberdeen remain in the hunt for their first home win of the campaign, having also drawn 0-0 with Ross County earlier in August.

Clear-cut opportunities were scarce in the first half with the creative talents of Aberdeen trio Ryan Fraser, Jonny Hayes and Jack and Hearts winger Driver finding it difficult to carve out openings.

John Sutton had a shot blocked by Dons defender Gary Naysmith and the striker was off target with a couple of other efforts as Hearts asserted themselves.

However, Aberdeen began to take control of the game as half-time approached.

Gavin Rae's pass split the Hearts defence and Jack's shot was blocked by Jamie MacDonald.

The Aberdeen fans demanded a red card after Mehdi Taouil fouled Rae in Aberdeen's inside right channel, but referee Alan Muir booked the Hearts player, deeming that Andy Webster's presence in a central position meant Rae had not been denied a clear scoring chance.

Jack then crossed for Vernon and the forward's volley on the run rattled the bar.

Marius Zaliukas was replaced with Denis Prychynenko at the break, with the Hearts captain having been carrying a thigh injury.

Jack's drive was spilled by MacDonald and Vernon, who was well placed to convert, touched the rebound onto the post. The striker's blushes were spared by the offside flag.

Naysmith limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring problem, giving Chris Clark an appearance off the bench.

A header from Vernon was well kept out by MacDonald, but the offside flag had once again been raised.

Jason Holt and then Dale Carrick were introduced for Hearts, Arvydas Novikovas and Callum Paterson withdrawn, but the visitors were struggling to get a foothold in the match with Sutton ever more isolated in attack as the second half wore on.

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown elected for a double change, with Vernon and Fraser making way for Fallon and Josh Magennis.

Fallon was soon posing a threat to the Hearts defence, having an attempt blocked by Danny Grainger and then heading over.

Hearts sustained further pressure and then had their best chance of the match with a stoppage-time break.

Ryan McGowan crossed towards Driver and the winger's right-foot shot ricocheted off the post seconds before the full-time whistle.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Aberdeen

  • 01 Langfield
  • 04 Anderson
  • 06 Considine Booked
  • 17 Naysmith (Clark - 59' )
  • 22 Reynolds
  • 02 Jack
  • 05 Rae
  • 11 Hayes
  • 16 Osbourne
  • 20 Fraser (Fallon - 74' )
  • 09 Vernon (Magennis - 75' )

Substitutes

  • 30 Rogers
  • 13 Low
  • 07 Clark
  • 14 Fallon
  • 19 Megginson
  • 21 Magennis
  • 26 Paton

Heart of Midlothian

  • 01 MacDonald
  • 03 Grainger Booked
  • 04 McGowan Booked
  • 05 Barr
  • 06 Webster
  • 26 Zaliukas Booked (Prychynenko - 46' )
  • 33 Paterson (Carrick - 69' )
  • 10 Taouil Booked
  • 11 Driver
  • 09 Sutton
  • 18 Novikovas Booked (Holt - 64' )

Substitutes

  • 21 Enckelman
  • 29 McHattie
  • 15 Holt
  • 16 Prychynenko
  • 08 Robinson
  • 12 Smith
  • 37 Carrick
Ref: Muir
Att: 11,971

Match Stats

Shots

7 3

On target

2 1

Corners

9 1

Fouls

14 19

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:13 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +2:48

The ball is delivered by Ryan McGowan, Shot by Andrew Driver from inside the penalty box hits the post.

90:00 +1:29

Johnny Hayes concedes a free kick for a foul on Andrew Driver. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:15

Rory Fallon challenges Ryan McGowan unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.

89:43

Johnny Hayes fouled by Daniel Grainger, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.

88:49

Andrew Driver challenges Andrew Considine unfairly and gives away a free kick. Russell Anderson takes the free kick.

88:12

Inswinging corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line played to the near post, Daniel Grainger makes a clearance.

88:06

The ball is sent over by Johnny Hayes, Andy Webster makes a clearance.

87:55

The ball is swung over by Chris Clark.

85:49

Inswinging corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line played to the near post, Andy Webster makes a clearance.

85:40

The ball is sent over by Russell Anderson, Andy Webster gets a block in.

84:23

The ball is sent over by Johnny Hayes, Andrew Considine produces a header from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

82:12

Free kick crossed right-footed by Johnny Hayes, clearance made by Andy Webster.

82:12 Booking

Booking Ryan McGowan receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

82:00

Ryan McGowan challenges Gavin Rae unfairly and gives away a free kick.

81:20

The assistant referee flags for offside against Rory Fallon. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.

80:37

Darren Barr challenges Rory Fallon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mark Reynolds takes the direct free kick.

79:16

Johnny Hayes takes a corner.

79:03

Josh Magennis takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Webster.

78:16

Isaac Osbourne has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.

77:00

Andrew Driver is caught offside. Jamie Langfield takes the indirect free kick.

75:54

Andrew Considine fouled by John Sutton, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.

75:32

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Isaac Osbourne by John Sutton. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.

73:39

Free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

73:39 Substitution

Substitution Josh Magennis comes on in place of Scott Vernon.

73:39 Substitution

Substitution Rory Fallon is brought on as a substitute for Ryan Fraser.

73:39

Johnny Hayes crosses the ball, Andy Webster fouled by Russell Anderson, the ref awards a free kick.

73:04

The ball is sent over by Dale Carrick, Mark Reynolds gets a block in.

70:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Jack by Dale Carrick. Ryan Jack takes the free kick.

70:14

Dale Carrick produces a cross, save made by Jamie Langfield.

69:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Ryan Jack. Andrew Driver crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, blocked by Ryan Jack.

68:36 Substitution

Substitution Callum Paterson leaves the field to be replaced by Dale Carrick.

68:11

Johnny Hayes delivers the ball, save by Jamie MacDonald.

66:16

Inswinging corner taken by Ryan Fraser from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Andy Webster.

65:42

Centre by Johnny Hayes, save by Jamie MacDonald.

64:27

Daniel Grainger restarts play with the free kick.

64:27 Booking

Booking Andrew Considine is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

64:12

Foul by Andrew Considine on Mehdi Taouil, free kick awarded.

63:11

Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.

63:11 Substitution

Substitution Jason Holt comes on in place of Arvydas Novikovas.

63:11

Scott Vernon is ruled offside.

61:41

Foul by Russell Anderson on Arvydas Novikovas, free kick awarded. Daniel Grainger takes the direct free kick.

61:04

Johnny Hayes delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Andy Webster manages to make a clearance.

61:04 Booking

Booking Arvydas Novikovas booked.

60:53

Foul by Arvydas Novikovas on Johnny Hayes, free kick awarded.

59:39

Callum Paterson concedes a free kick for a foul on Ryan Fraser. Ryan Fraser delivers the ball, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Russell Anderson misses to the right of the target.

59:13

The ball is crossed by Ryan Fraser, blocked by Ryan McGowan.

58:08 Substitution

Substitution Gary Naysmith leaves the field to be replaced by Chris Clark.

57:50

The ball is sent over by Ryan Fraser, Denis Prychynenko manages to make a clearance.

55:56

Unfair challenge on Johnny Hayes by Daniel Grainger results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.

54:42

The ball is sent over by Arvydas Novikovas.

53:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Callum Paterson on Isaac Osbourne. Free kick taken by Mark Reynolds.

53:23

Ryan Fraser crosses the ball, Andy Webster makes a clearance.

52:30

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Fraser by Mehdi Taouil. Gary Naysmith takes the direct free kick.

51:30

Ryan McGowan fouled by Ryan Jack, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald.

49:51

The ball is sent over by Andrew Driver, Russell Anderson gets a block in.

49:28

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Arvydas Novikovas by Isaac Osbourne. Daniel Grainger restarts play with the free kick.

48:36

The official flags Scott Vernon offside. Jamie MacDonald restarts play with the free kick.

48:02

The ball is swung over by Ryan Fraser, clearance made by Andy Webster.

47:42

Callum Paterson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Fraser. Gary Naysmith takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Denis Prychynenko on for Marius Zaliukas.

45:00 +1:32 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +0:16

Centre by Ryan Jack, Shot from 6 yards from Scott Vernon.

43:32

Free kick crossed left-footed by Johnny Hayes from right by-line.

43:32 Booking

Booking Marius Zaliukas receives a yellow card.

43:28

Marius Zaliukas challenges Ryan Fraser unfairly and gives away a free kick.

41:22

Free kick crossed left-footed by Johnny Hayes, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.

41:18

Mehdi Taouil concedes a free kick for a foul on Gavin Rae.

43:16

Isaac Osbourne crosses the ball, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.

42:56

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line.

41:22

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Johnny Hayes, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.

41:22 Booking

Booking Caution for Mehdi Taouil.

41:18

Unfair challenge on Gavin Rae by Mehdi Taouil results in a free kick.

40:06

Centre by Arvydas Novikovas, Isaac Osbourne makes a clearance.

39:39

The ball is crossed by Ryan Fraser, Arvydas Novikovas gets a block in.

36:46

Ryan Jack takes a shot. Jamie MacDonald makes a save.

32:45

Isaac Osbourne challenges Darren Barr unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Daniel Grainger, Gavin Rae manages to make a clearance.

31:52

Ryan Fraser takes the outswinging corner, Shot from close range by Russell Anderson misses to the right of the target.

31:37

The ball is crossed by Ryan Fraser, Andy Webster gets a block in.

31:26

The ball is delivered by Johnny Hayes, Marius Zaliukas makes a clearance.

30:42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mark Reynolds by Callum Paterson. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.

29:47

Scott Vernon concedes a free kick for a foul on Andy Webster. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.

27:37

Corner taken left-footed by Arvydas Novikovas to the near post, Effort from inside the area by John Sutton misses to the left of the target.

27:27

The ball is delivered by Andrew Driver, Russell Anderson manages to make a clearance.

23:30

Isaac Osbourne gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil. Daniel Grainger restarts play with the free kick.

21:16

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line, Marius Zaliukas manages to make a clearance.

20:04

The assistant referee flags for offside against Scott Vernon. Free kick taken by Marius Zaliukas.

18:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andrew Driver on Mark Reynolds. Jamie Langfield takes the free kick.

15:14

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes, clearance made by John Sutton.

14:43

Corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Marius Zaliukas.

14:33

The ball is crossed by Johnny Hayes, Daniel Grainger makes a clearance.

14:11

Unfair challenge on Russell Anderson by Darren Barr results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Russell Anderson.

13:43

The assistant referee flags for offside against John Sutton. Jamie Langfield restarts play with the free kick.

11:53

The ball is sent over by Ryan Fraser, save made by Jamie MacDonald.

8:05

The ball is swung over by Arvydas Novikovas.

6:54

Arvydas Novikovas takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jamie Langfield.

5:00

The referee blows for offside against John Sutton. Indirect free kick taken by Russell Anderson.

3:46

Foul by Isaac Osbourne on Darren Barr, free kick awarded. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.

2:59

Ryan Jack challenges Mehdi Taouil unfairly and gives away a free kick. Mehdi Taouil takes the direct free kick.

1:29

Unfair challenge on Andrew Driver by Russell Anderson results in a free kick. Arvydas Novikovas crosses the ball in from the free kick, clearance by Johnny Hayes.

0:18

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Fraser by John Sutton. Jamie Langfield restarts play with the free kick.

0:00

The match begins.

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