Aberdeen 0-0 Heart of Midlothian

Hearts set a new club record of six consecutive clean sheets as they held second-placed Aberdeen at bay.

The visitors were well organised, but goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin had to make a series of saves, the best of them from Scott McKenna's header.

David Milinkovic, in the first half, and Isma Goncalves both came close for Hearts.

Hearts were reduced to 10 men before the end when Kyle Lafferty was sent off for a challenge on Graeme Shinnie.

• Lafferty red card was 'harsh' says Levein

The first half was a bruising and uncompromising affair as Aberdeen attacked with pace and verve while Hearts showed why they have been so difficult to break down with a disciplined defensive display.

Injuries forced Craig Levein to make four changes to the side that drew with Hibernian in midweek and that misfortune continued as Michael Smith and Anthony McDonald were both forced off in the first 35 minutes.

Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty was dismissed by referee John Beaton for a tackle on Graeme Shinnie

Eighteen-year-old Danny Baur and Lafferty were the replacements, but it didn't really affect the flow of play as the Dons pushed forward by dominating possession in the opening period. Hearts are much more resolute than earlier in the season.

The central defensive trio of John Souttar, Aaron Hughes and Christophe Berra in particular threw their bodies on the line when the occasion demanded it and behind them they had a goalkeeper in McLaughlin at the top of his form.

The former Burton Albion player produced a stunning instinctive save to deny Adam Rooney what looked like a certain opener after a cross was deflected into the Aberdeen striker's path six yards from goal.

Hearts defender Michael Smith was forced off through injury during the first half at Pittodrie

That came just four minutes from the break and was easily the home side's best chance of a frenetic first 45 minutes, but before that Hearts had squandered an equally good opportunity on one of their infrequent counterattacks.

McDonald and Goncalves combined to send Milinkovic clear through the middle but the winger lacked conviction and goalkeeper Joe Lewis raced out to block the Serbian's shot.

Then on the stroke of half time it was Goncalves's turn to hesitate when in a good position and a combination of McKenna and Lewis made sure that Aberdeen didn't end the half trailing.

Hearts striker Isma Goncalves came close for the visitors when they broke upfield on counter-attacks

The Dons were even more in command in the second half after striker Greg Stewart replaced injured defender Andrew Considine at the interval.

Hearts continued to defend for their lives, as well an enjoying a slice of luck as Rooney sliced over when well placed to score.

Gary Mackay-Steven then saw a shot deflected wide by Souttar who then did likewise to deny Stewart a goal. McLaughlin once again showed why he is so highly rated with a brilliant one-handed save to claw away McKenna's header.

The Aberdeen central defender's physical presence caused Hearts problems at set pieces, but he lacked the accuracy to steer a header from 12 yards on target.

Aberdeen's latest signing, Niall McGinn, was greeted by the home crowd before the kick off on his return to the club

The same shortcoming befell Hearts at the other end, with Goncalves miscued when he should have scored, while Harry Cochrane curled a shot from the edge of the area just wide. Hearts did, though, survive a penalty claim when the ball spun up off Jamie Brandon's thigh onto his arm but it looked unintentional.

The visitors received a flurry of five bookings as they fought to survive, and Lafferty took it too far with a scything tackle on Shinnie to earn a red card that will keep him out of the Scottish Cup tie against Hibernian next month.

However they did extend their run to nine games without defeat and 561 minutes without conceding.