Don't let the score fool you, this was an action packed match and made compelling viewing, with clear periods of superiority for both teams, chances at both ends, bruising challenges and a buzzing atmosphere. In fact, everything but a goal.

McLeish chose to go with three at the back with new Hibs captain, Franck Sauzee, sitting between Gary Smith and Paul Fenwick. That Fenwick took to the field having only met his teamates for the first time a few days ago shows how stretched the squad was for defenders with McIntosh suspended and Dennis and Dempsie both injured. Also making their debuts for Hibs were Ulrik Laursen playing left wing back, John O'Neil in midfield and Didier Agathe partnering Paatelainen up front.

You might think that with so many new faces, Hibs were in danger of needing time to gel into a team. Well the first twenty minutes or so of this match fully endorsed that view with Hearts in complete control and Hibs in disarray both in midfield and at the back. Hearts had some good opportunities to score during this spell. First up was Andy Kirk who hooked two efforts past the post with his back to goal. His third opportunity was his best as he broke free from Sauzee and homed in on Colgan. The Hibs keeper, in danger of giving away a penalty, did brilliantly, diving and taking the ball from Kirk's feet as the Hearts striker attempted to go round him.

Hearts next effort was their clearest scoring chance as a poor clearance from a corner found Juanjo on the edge of the box and he drove an effort back through the ruck of players. His shot was going wide but found Severin whose outstretched boot made contact but not quite enough and the ball still ended up wide of target.

Hibs then clicked into gear and turned the game completely around with Hearts forced to do most of the defending for the remainder of the half. Unfortunately, just as Hearts had squandered several chances, Hibs also failed to capitalise whilst on top. Didier Agathe had two great runs, the second of which provided the best scoring opportunity of the match. Chasing a through ball with Pressley, the two players ended on the ground. Agathe, however, was first to his feet, and was also quick enough to round the outrushing Niemi. Having done the hard part and with the Hibs support on their feet ready to celebrate, Agathe somehow managed to fluff the shot with the goal at his mercy allowing Flogel to rush in and clear off the line. A bad miss by anyone's standards.

From the resulting corner, Laursen rose to get a goalbound header in which Niemi tipped acrobatically over the bar. Laursen won several headers in the opponents box during this match adding a new weapon to Hibs armoury. Earlier in the match he had nodded down for Agathe to turn the ball into the net - unfortunately the Frenchman was clearly offside.

Hibs started the second half brightly and retained command during the opening phase. Franck Sauzee was so close to opening the scoring with a goal bound freekick which Niemi touched on to the bar and over.

The pace had been frenetic up until now and you felt that it must slow and that indeed was the case with the match going into a quieter phase with the teams cancelling each other out for long periods.

During the final five minutes, it was Hearts who found the energy to go on the offence and they so very nearly snatched a winner in those dying minutes. The best chance fell to Naysmith from a half clearance. He met the ball full on from the edge of the box but Nick Colgan stood up and made an instictive parry. Gary McSwegan dived to head the rebound but Colgan was back in position to save again.

A draw was probably a fair result on the balance of possession  and chances created but you will not often see a game with so much goalmouth excitement finish scoreless.

So what of Hibs new boys. Gary Smith and Paul Fenwick both came on to solid games after a shaky start, though if I have one reservation, I would say that both looked a bit one paced. Ulrik Laursen was excellent in the wing back role, getting up and down the park with tremendous energy, passing well and winning lots of headers - hardly surprising as he was the tallest man on the field. John O'Neil got better and better as the game went on and will prove to be an excellent acquisition. Didier Agathe did enough to suggest he will get a longer deal despite the miss. He is a powerful and direct player who the fans will appreciate.

Of Hibs other players, you have to single out Sauzee and say that he was immense as always. Latapy showed the usual flashes of brilliance but was not involved enough to really influence the game. The player that really surprised me was Matthias Jack - he may not be the most elegant performer but he was superbly efficient in the holding midfield role and a lot quicker around the park than I had anticipated. McManus, who came on for Paatelainen never really got going and when he got one chance, he was a bit slow reacting, allowing Naysmith to get to the ball in front of him.

Hibs Team 3-5-2

Colgan
G. Smith, Sauzee, Fenwick
T.Smith, Latapy, Jack, O'Neil, Laursen
Agathe (McManus), Paatelainen

Subs not used : Westwater, Lovell, Murray, Lehmann