Goalkeeper Janos Balogh was the hero for Hearts after his reflex save meant the honours stayed even in the first Edinburgh derby of the season.

The home side enjoyed the majority of possession at Tynecastle but it was high-flying Hibernian who came closest to breaking the deadlock when full back David Wotherspoon’s long-range strike was flicked on by Colin Nish.

But Balogh reacted quickly to tip the deflection onto the post and away to safety and ensure the match ended as a stalemate.

Hibernian’s failure to pick up a win meant Rangers leapfrogged them into second and moved to within a point of leaders Celtic after a 2-1 win against St Mirren at Ibrox.

Kris Boyd scored both for the Glasgow outfit before Stephen O’Donnell grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Motherwell slipped to fifth in the league after they could only manage a 2-2 draw against 10-man Hamilton with Lukas Jutkiewicz rescuing a point for the Steelmen in the 87th minute.

Dundee United moved up to fourth with Argentina striker bagging both goals in a 2-0 victory at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen progressed to sixth with a 2-1 win at home to St Johnstone.

SFL

Derek Holmes’ solitary first half strike ensured Queen of the South stay top of the Scottish Division One division after a 1-0 victory over bottom-club Ayr.

The journeyman striker was a constant threat to the home defence and was rewarded for his efforts in the 20th minute when he beat Craig Samson in the Ayr goal.

Dundee maintained the pressure on the leaders but were made to work hard for the points in a 2-1 victory over Aidrie United.

Sean Higgins opened the scoring for Dundee in the 22nd minute but John Baird hit back before Higgins sealed it in ten minutes before half-time.

Ross County remain third in the table after a 2-1 win at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

In Division Two a last-minute penalty from substitute Scott McBride sent Cowdenbeath to the top of the league as they overcame Clyde 1-0 at Broadwood.

The Miners replace Stirling Albion, who continued their indifferent form as they went down by the same scoreline to Alloa Athletic at Forthbank.

Elsewhere, Arbroath move off the bottom of the table after holding third-place Brechin City to a goalless at Glebe Park.

And in Division Three Keighan Jacobs helped himself to a first-half double as top-of-the-table Livingston did their goal difference no harm with a demolishing 6-1 victory away at Elgin.

Berwick remain two points behind the leaders as Damon Gray struck twice in a hard-fought 4-2 success at ten-man Stranraer.