Inverness CT 0-0 Heart of Midlothian (original) (raw)

Inverness hit the woodwork four times as they were held to a goalless draw by Hearts at the Caledonian Stadium.

Hearts 'keeper Jamie MacDonald worked wonders to deny a first-half Caley Thistle onslaught, with Marley Watkins, Billy McKay, David Raven and Greg Tansey hitting the post or crossbar.

The visitors came into it after the break as Jamie Hamill and Paul McCallum spurned good opportunities.

And MacDonald produced more magic to turn Greg Tansey's shot round the post.

Inverness drop one place to fifth in the Scottish Premiership, while Hearts are 16 points behind Partick Thistle at the bottom.

Hearts' Ryan Stevenson had a decent early chance, sending a powerful drive from the edge of the box inches over the bar.

But that was followed by a more or less constant stream of Caley Thistle attacks.

First Watkins, who was to prove a thorn in the side of the Hearts defence all afternoon, sent a shot just wide of the post from just outside the 18-yard box.

Then a David Raven cross clipped the crossbar and only a great block by Heart's captain Danny Wilson denied Billy McKay moments later.

Another powerful Inverness attack saw Watkins send a great through ball to McKay in the inside right of the Hearts' box but MacDonald pulled off a great save.

Moments later it was McKay who set up Watkins but although his shot beat the 'keeper, 17-year-old Hearts defender Jordan McGhee cleared the ball off the line in a desperate rear guard action.

Hearts started much more brightly in the second half with Hamill coming close to breaking the deadlock with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, which went just wide.

But Inverness continued to dominate without creating as many clear cut chances. Tansey came closest with a piledriver shot from 20 yards and Richie Foran was involved in some decent attacking moves after being brought on midway through the second half.

With the final whistle approaching, it was Hearts who had the best chances to seize all three points and get revenge for their dramatic League Cup semi-final defeat by Caley Thistle.

Against the run of play Hamill came close again and McCallum sent a last minute header towards the Inverness goal, which was blocked by defender Graeme Shinnie.

The goalless draw leaves John Hughes without a home victory since he took over the managerial post in Inverness. Hearts, meanwhile, are now unbeaten in their last four league games.

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