Kris Doolan gets the second half under way for Arbroath and the striker will be hoping he and his side don't live to rue his first-half missed chances.

Gary Caldwell
Former Scotland defender on Sportscene

Jon Daly
Former Hearts forward and coach on BBC Sportscene

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If last week's comprehensive win over Dundee suggested that Hearts would run away with the Championship title, this 45 minutes is perhaps a wake-up call.

Hearts started brightly, but after losing on-loan Preston midfielder Josh Ginnelly, the favourites have lost their way and it is Arbroath who have had the better chances.

Kris Doolan had the best of them, should have done better with the first and was then unfortunate to be denied by a fine Craig Gordon save.

Dale Hilson goes down in the Hearts penalty box theatrically under an Andy Halliday challenge, but with no referee's whistle signalling a spot kick, the forward rises and sends a snap shot sailing over the crossbar.

A Gavin Swankie corner drops at the feet of Kris Doolan, but Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon smothers it before the striker can react.

More danger signs for the visitors.

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An excellent save from Craig Gordon is needed to prevent Arbroath taking the lead.

Kris Doolan's quick turn and low stabbed shot is diverted for the corner by the goalkeeper's fingertips.

Dale Hilson thunders a free-kick just over seconds later.

Another shot on target from Arbroath, this time Gavin Swankie fires straight at goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Hearts are not having it all their own way.

It should be the opener for Arbroath after a slack back pass from Andy Halliday sets up Kris Doolan, but the normally lethal striker fires against the legs of goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

First shot on target from Hearts' Liam Boyce is straight at goalkeeper Derek Gaston.

The theme is set, it seems, with Arbroath defending deep and looking to hit the visitors on the break.

Hearts midfielder Olly Lee is first to be booked as he clips Michael McKenna as he breaks from deep inside his own half.

Hearts lose on-loan Preston North End midfielder Josh Ginnelly after he pulls up after making a pass.

As he limps off, on comes forward Craig Wighton.

Hearts get the game under way looking to continue at the top of the Championship table.

Liam McLeod is your commentator on BBC Scotland, with former Scotland striker Billy Dodds providing expert analysis.

The teams are coming out and BBC Scotland pundits go for a Hearts win.

Gary Caldwell thinks it will be 2-0, with Jon Daly suggesting 3-1.

Agree? Give it a thumbs up, thumbs down if you don't.

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson tells BBC Scotland: "We know Arbroath have a very good home record and it will be a very hard game. It is calm compared to so often you come up here and the wind is blowing and the pitch is looking good.

"Dick's very experienced and he has good quality in his team."

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It is the first meeting of the sides since July 2015, when Hearts won 4-2 in the League Cup at Tynecastle to secure a seventh win in a row over Arbroath.

The Red Lichties last avoided defeat with a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle in the old First Division back in March 1975, a result that followed a 3-1 victory at Gayfield the previous November.

Arbroath manager Dick Campbell tells BBC Scotland: "I was very impressed with Hearts last week and would have even paid money to watch them. We will need to dig in and earn every point as this will be more difficult for us to stay in this league than it was last season.

"If we can stay above Alloa and stay in this league, it will be a good season."

It was looking promising for Arbroath when, having finished fifth last term, they opened the season with wins over lower league Stirling Albion and Montrose in the League Cup before a narrow defeat by top-flight Ross County.

Their six-game unbeaten run having been ended, they were summarily dismissed by promoted Raith Rovers last weekend.

The Kirkcaldy side were beaten 3-1 by Hearts as Robbie Neilson's side improved on lethargic wins over Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Cowdenbeath in the League Cup before their season ignited with last week's destruction of Dundee.

You can still see all the goals from that win over the side who many think will be their main title rivals by clicking the link below.

Coverage of tonight's game is about to begin (19:30) on Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel and online by clicking the link above.

Presenter Jane Lewis is joined by former Scotland defender Gary Caldwell and ex-Dundee United striker Jon Daly.

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