Hearts held by Falkirk

Neither side were able to find the net on a frustrating afternoon for the home side, although Eddie May’s Bairns will undoubtedly be satisfied with the result, despite failing once more to register their first win of the campaign.

A scrappy start saw little in the way of clear-cut chances, as David Obua headed a Lee Wallace cross over the bar, although the Ugandan had been flagged offside in any case. Kjartan Finnbogason then found himself bearing down on goal after Ismael Bouzid missed a clearing header, but the Falkirk striker’s control deserted him and the ball drifted out for a goal kick. Christian Nade was next to threaten at the other end, flashing a right foot shot just wide on 16 minutes.

There was little creativity on show from either side, although the visitors forced their way into the game with a couple of half chances. Alex MacDonald’s delivery from a free kick sailed dangerously close to Janos Balogh’s far post, whilst Ryan Flynn’s near-post effort lacked the power to trouble the Hearts ‘keeper. His opposite number was forced into action on the half hour, as Craig Thomson’s sweetly struck volley was watched all the way by Olejnik. Falkirk responded immediately; Macdonald broke from midfield before firing a right-footed drive at goal, which had Balogh at full stretch.

Hearts could, and should, have been ahead after 34 minutes. Wallace fed Andy Driver on the left, whose one-two with Suso allowed him in on goal; the winger’s left footed effort going agonisingly wide. Falkirk were afforded another let off just three minutes later, as Suso muscled his way in behind Darren Barr before being hauled back by the Bairns’ captain. Referee Chris Boyle elected to show only a yellow card, although it could have easily been red. The resultant free kick was played short to Goncalves, whose left foot shot curled well over. Burton O’Brien’s off-target snap shot was the last action of an uninspiring first period.

The second forty-five began more openly and O’Brien was involved again, his low strike held well by Balogh. Flynn was replaced by Marceta, and the Slovenian should have broken the deadlock on the hour. MacDonald went by Lee Wallace on the right before picking out Marceta though he miss-hit his shot when a decent contact would have surely seen him score.

This seemed to light a fire under the home side, as Christian Nade’s flick on was controlled by Suso, who volleyed wide from 18 yards.

It was the substitute Marceta who came close again in the 70th minute, breaking down the left before dragging a left foot shot just wide. He caused more trouble from the left soon after, Goncalves diverting a wicked delivery just over his own cross bar. Falkirk came even closer to putting through their own net with just 10 minutes remaining. Goncalves’ long throw was inadvertently flicked towards his own goal by Brian McLean, and only a fantastic save by Olejnik spared the ex-Motherwell man’s blushes.

It seemed the hosts were running out of time, although only a late block by Mark Stewart prevented a late winner for Csaba Laszlo’s side. Ismael Bouzid’s flick on was controlled by Witteveen, who spun and shot from close range, only for Stewart to throw himself in the way. No goals, then, as Hearts struggled to break down a determined Falkirk side, who might even have taken all three points themselves had luck been kinder to them.