Sad news just in about the death former Hearts, Rangers and Lithuania defender Marius Zaliukas, aged just 36.

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon tells BBC Scotland: "A massive three points at an important time in the season. It's a hard-fought game, well contested in real difficult Scottish conditions.

"The boys deserve an immense amount of credit. They're new to this level. We're fighting, we're battling, we're trying to keep improving all the time.

"We've really battled over the last six games to get these results [three wins and two draws]. The signs are good."

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Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We had so much control of the game.

"It's another game, it's another penalty conceded. It's so scrappy, it's so disappointing. So avoidable. It's frustrating for me, it's frustrating for the players.

"The heads didn't go down, we didn't feel sorry for ourselves. They never gave up right up the last whistle."

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Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Image source, SNS

Billy Dodds
Former Scotland striker

Willie Collum blows for half-time and we are still no closer to knowing who will be in the final of the 2019-20 Scottish Cup.

Hibs should be ahead, the side sitting third in the Premiership having had the better chances.

Kyle Magennis ought to have done better than send a shot against Michael Smith from close range then goalkeeper Craig Gordon produced a world-class save to deny Kevin Nisbet.

That has kept Hearts level and within touching distance of reaching the final six months after being relegated from the top flight.

Hearts are coming more into the game and a dangerous cross flashes across the face of the Hibs six-yard box.

First shot on target from Hearts.

However, winger Jordan Roberts' low drive is straight at goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.

Another dangerous Martin Boyle cross gives Hibs another chance.

Defender Mihai Popescu seems to duck out the way and it falls to Christian Doidge, who is taken by surprise and it hits his shoulder and wide.

With the Premiership season having started two months ahead of the second tier, and Hearts having lost some players following their relegation, you would imagine the balance should be tipped in Hibs' favour.

That's the way it is looking at the moment as the Easter Road side begin to dominate possession.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Both sides have had their chances, but it is probably Hibs who have had the best of them.

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Hibs should score - but veteran Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon comes to Hearts' rescue.

Martin Boyle's fine cross finds Kevin Nisbet in space 10 yards out, but Gordon somehow gets a fingertip to the striker's powerful header.

Ouch!published at 20mins

20mins

Heart of Midlothian 0-0 Hibernian

Hearts forward Jamie Walker comes down heavily on top of the head of Paul Hanlon after the Hibs defender trips and fealls under his opponent as he rises to head on at the halfway line

Both players look shaken but quickly recover.

From the corner, Oli Lee sends a low volley skimming off the sodden surface and wide.

Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano wouldn't have known much about that had it been on target.

Hearts are coming more into the game and Liam Boyce is brought down outside the penalty box by Alex Gogic.

The referee waves play on and Ryan Porteous concedes a corner kick. Hibs lucky to get away with that one.

Hibs should open the scoring. Christian Doidge turns a low cross across the face of goal, Kevin Nisbet can't swings at fresh air, but it falls to team-mate Kyle Magennis.

However, Michael Smith does well to block the midfielder's shot in front of goal.

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has to race out from goal and punch away under pressure.

Hearts have a free-kick in a promising position as Craig Wighton gets in behind Josh Doig and forces the foul.

However, Jamie Walker's effort is tame and Hibs are able to get it clear without little trouble.

They get a second opportunity, which this time is played low through to Walker, who races into the box and fires low at the near post, but goalkeeper Ofir Marciano's save is comfortable enough.

It's Premiership against Championship, but it is a derby, so Hearts will consider themselves Hibs' equals, especially as it was only a season cut short by the pandemic that ensured that the Tynecastle side were relegated last season.

Hibs, though, are doing the early attacking.