Aberdeen and Hearts served up a dull stalemate with the Jambos missing a stoppage time penalty through Jorge Grant.
The first half was an uneventful affair apart from a clear cut chance for Topi Keskinen after a really clever pass from Kevin Nisbet, but the winger put it wide of the goal from a one-on-one.
The Dons had earlier tried to scramble one over the line through debutant Kristers Tobers but that was about it in terms of clear openings.
There were even fewer opportunities in the second as Hearts handed a debut off the bench to new signing Elton Kabangu, the striker coming close with a smart header from Jorge Grant’s cross.
Fellow new boy Jamie McCart then hit the post from the corner.
Both sides continued to cancel each other out largely but Hearts were handed a perfect opportunity when Sivert Nilsen fouled Kenneth Vargas in the box – but Ross Doohan produced a brilliant save from Jorge Grant’s spot kick.
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Drab affair
This was a cagey one, which isn’t really a surprise given the importance of the points for both teams and the way their seasons have been going.
Aberdeen were probably the better side in the first half but seemed to lack the confidence to properly take the game to their visitors.
Hearts grew into the game and were able to work the ball into reasonable areas but lacked the killer instinct, which is what has plagued them all season.
Signs still there for both sides
Despite all of that, there remains signs that it can come good for both sides.
Aberdeen could easily have stormed into an early lead here with a bit more ruthlessness and that would have made it a different game. They will hope their new signings, once bedded in, can help with that. And there will be more to follow.
It’ actually a similar story for Hearts with more confidence required in the final third.
Kabangu can hopefully provide that after a half hour run-out today and they will also look to add more quity.
Aberdeen still short in defence
Aberdeen started the game with one defender in centre half and finished it with two.
The Dons completed the signing of Kristers Tobers this week and he went straight in for his debut. But amid injuries to Gavin Molloy and Jack Milne and a suspension for Slobodan Rubezic, Sivert Heltne Nilsen had to partner Tobers.
The Latvian was subbed off during the second half and Dante Polvara finished the game next to Nilsen.
They coped fine, to be fair, but it is a sign that more centre halves will likely be needed for Jimmy Thelin.
Angus MacDonald didn’t even get on after being ‘ruthlessly exposed in Aberdeen’s defeat to Motherwell, so his future will also come under question.