Hearts go through to second round

FT Zeljeznicar 0 Hearts 0 (Hearts win 2-0 on aggregate)

Hearts booked their place in the draw for the second round of the UEFA Cup – despite failing to find the back of the net against Zeljeznicar in Bosnia.

Craig Levein’s men headed into the return leg with a 2-0 advantage from the first game at Tynecastle three weeks ago and had been hopeful of killing of the tie with an early goal in Sarajevo.

Instead, they were forced to soak up the pressure for most of the game as Zeljo created chance after chance in the Olympic Stadium but they also failed to score, allowing Hearts to progress in the competition.

Hearts were desperate for the goal that would all but book their place in the second round of the UEFA Cup and it almost came with just 15 minutes remaining.

De Vries tried to pick out Graham Weir at the far post for a golden opportunity but Hasagic managed to get to the ball first and clear the danger.

That proved to be Weir’s last involvement in the game and he was replaced by Dennis Wyness as Hearts boss Craig Levein searched for inspiration up front.

That inspiration never came but Hearts managed to hold on for the goalless draw to allow them to progress to the second round of the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 aggregate win.