The finishing touch wasn't there, but Hearts are proving a tough nut to crack as they made it four clean sheets and 10 games in a row unbeaten after playing out a stalemate with Livingston.
The Jambos had the better chances, with sub Garang Kuol guilty of missing the best one, while Shamal George produced a top save to deny Stephen Humphrys. But the hosts went close themselves, with Steven Bradley seeing his effort cleared off the line in the second half.
Hearts should have taken the lead after 18 minutes. Alex Cochrane’s in-swinging corner was met by Shankland, who managed to steal a yard on James Penrice. But the skipper couldn't direct his header down and it went over from close range. Yutaro Oda was inches from giving his side the lead on the stroke of half-time. Shankland sent a great ball across the six yard box, but the Japanese Under 21 international couldn’t make contact when he really should have for a tap in.
He was replaced by Kuol and the young Aussie spurned a brilliant early chance after the break. Stephen Humphrys sprung the offside and put the ball on a plate for Kuol. His first effort was straight at Shamal George, before he did the exact same with the rebound.
The visitors had Kye Rowles to thank for keeping the score level despite them dominating after the break. Zander Clark came off his line but miss-timed it and Bradley lifted the ball over him. The ball was bouncing in, but Rowles was sharp and got back in time to clear off the line.
Humphrys went close at the other end. The Livi defence backed off so he sent a low effort towards the far corner with little backlift, but Geroge was at full stretch to tip it round the post.
Clark had his palms stung by Boyes. The Livi man smashed the ball towards the near post but Clark watched it all the way and got himself behind the ball to beat it away.
Oda’s forgettable debut
The Japanese signing hasn’t featured much since arriving from Vissel Kobe. Robbie Neilson plans to integrate him to Scottish Premiership life gradually, but he was in from the start against the Lions.
He led the line with Shankland playing deeper, but only managed four touches during the first half. He should have scored on the stroke of half-time, despite an apparent shove in the back, as he failed to connect with Shankland’s ball across goal. That was his last contribution as he didn’t reappear for the second half.
Keep your Kuol
The talented Aussie teen was much more of a threat than the man he replaced at the break,. But his massive missed chance meant the Jambos headed back along the M8 with one point instead of three. He was sent clean through by Humphrys, but twice sent his finish straight at George when anything either side of the keeper would have opened the scoring.
Kuol showed in flashes that he'll be a threat for Hearts with his pace. But like Oda, will need more games to get up to speed and play regularly from the start.
Livi at arm's length
They will have been frustrated not to take all three points, but a fourth consecutive clean sheet makes it ten games unbeaten for Robbie Neilson's side. They remain seven points clear of the Lions in third place, although Davie Martindale's men have a game in hand on them.
They've only managed to take two points from the West Lothian side this season, so might not be too despondent with a point away from home all things considered. On this evidence, it's going to take a very impressive run from the chasing pack to catch them in third.
READ NEXT:
