Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Heart of Midlothian
From Hearts News at Home Park, Plymouth

Championship team Plymouth provided another stern pre-season test for Csaba Laszlo's Hearts in tonight's final tour friendly here in Plymouth, but the Jambos were strong and would be satisfied with a useful draw before heading back to Scotland tomorrow.

The Pilgrims featured two new signings Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kari Anderson.

A fully fit Christian Nade had his first start up front with the Jambos captained by Michael Stewart. Jamie MacDonald took his place between the sticks in front of around 100 Hearts fans in the 4,177 crowd.

The young keeper was quickly into action in the first minute palming away a firm cross by McNamee. Jim Paterson then came close with a 20 yard shot. Michael Stewart was keen not to allow the Pilgrims to settle though and harried and hustled to disrupt the Plymouth midfield. Stewart then floated a lovely ball into the box after 5 minutes that just flew over Kingston's head. 

Ian Black was also keen to see the ball and worked hard in the engine room.

Hearts then created their first opening after 11 minutes when a good ball from Obua from the left was just out of reach from Nade in the box.

Eggert Jonsson then cut out a low drive from Barker and Bouzid mopped up the lose ball. The Algerian international defender was on hand again to clear a through ball as Plymouth sought the breakthrough.

Puncheon then did well down the right for Plymouth. The Greens then had three corners in quick succession and a superb instinctive MacDonald save from a Wright-Phillips volley was warmly and deservedly applauded by the crowd.

A Kucharski slip then let the same player in but the Pole recovered to clip the player to concede a free kick at 20 yards. Fletcher's shot  glided just over the bar. Arnason then came close with a long range drive.

Hearts conceded a weak foul on the edge of the box after 37 minutes when Bouzid had cleared the danger but a weak Puncheon attempt didn't clear the wall.

Kingston then shot over from 25 yards out after 40 minutes.

Ian Black opened the second half with a well drilled shot following a knock down by Bouzid after a well flighted Suso free kick from the edge of the box. Ian Black was then provider holding the ball up long enough for Nade to arrive on the 18 yard line but his shot sailed over harmlessly.

The lively Puncheon then set up Hamilton for Plymouth but the Scot's shot was blasted over fro m 20 yards to the relief of Kello.

Nade then broke clear on the right and his ball just skidded off the toe of Witteveen and through to Larrieu. Hearts were pressing now and a corner by Suso was met by an unchallenged Zaliukas but his header went wide of the left hand post.

 Wright-Phillips then showed his class to cut across the field and his low shot skidded to Kello who gathered at the second attempt.

Hearts continued with changing players including Jonny Stewart and Potuguese trialist Zezinando. But one constant remained a battling Suso on the right. His workrate in tracking back helped cut out a promising Pilgrims attack after 71 minutes.

The young Spaniard finished his shift though with a quarter of an hour left to make way for the talented Novikovas.

Jonsson then delivered a superb ball from the right into the onrunning 'Zezi' but he was distracted by the defender and the chance went a begging.

Play then swung to the other end as both teams tried to create a winner. Zezi then pressed following good work by Novikovas on the left. Michael Stewart still worked tirelessly and Goncalves, Jonsson and Obua had put in a good shift. Plymouth could have sealed it at the death but Fallo'n header was scooped over.

Jonsson battled on a linked well with Zezi to win a corner which ended in the arms of the keeper after a Zaliukas header.

All in all a satisfactory result for Hearts and their first clean sheet of pre-season which reflects a more solid looking defence in now being constructed. Full time 0-0.

Plymouth: Larrieu; Paterson (Duguid, 67), Fletcher (c), Puncheon (Fallon, 58), MacLean (Noone, 78), B Wright-Phillips, Arnason (Clark, 60), Barker, McNamee, Sawyer, Seip. Subs not used:  Saxton; Timar, Summerfield, Barnes.

Hearts: MacDonald (Kello, 46); Jonsson, Kucharski (Zaliukas, 46), Bouzid, Goncalves, Suso (Novikovas, 75), Black (J Stewart, 63), Stewart (c), Obua (Glen, 88), Kingston (Witteveen, 55), Nade (Zezinando, 70).  Subs not used: Balogh; C Thomson, Wallace, McGowan, Moriera.

Referee: Keith Stroud