Gary Locke appreciative of loyal support from Hearts fans

Manager Gary Locke saluted Hearts' performance as well as the support shown by visiting fans in the 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Ryan Stevenson's header was cancelled out by Jamie Hamill's own goal.

"We'll wait and see what happens over the next few days but you've seen there the size of this football club with a support like that," said Locke.

"We were delighted that we could get a decent performance and result for them."

The Tynecastle side face an uncertain future after their parent company UBIG asked to be declared insolvent.

It leaves the Jambos threatened by a points deduction and potential relegation from the Scottish Premier League.

Their situation will be on the agenda when the SPL board meets on Monday.

However, Locke was pleased to see positive signs on the pitch against the Dons.

"The game gets knocked here all the time but that was a great spectacle for the supporters," Locke told BBC Radio Scotland.

"I was delighted to see us score from a set-piece, we work hard on them in training."

Stevenson put the visitors ahead with a powerful header past Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield from a corner kick.

But Jonny Hayes' cross from the right forced Hamill to put through his own net as he tried to clear.

"It was a great ball in to be fair and Hamill's slipped," added Locke.

"It's one of them where if you don't go and deal with it, you don't know what's behind you.

"It's a bit unfortunate but it's a difficult place to come and we're quite happy with a point. Everyone to man worked really hard."