Dunfermline remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after a scrappy draw with Hearts.

Magnificent saves from both keepers provided the few morsels of excitement in what was mostly a game of long-ball football.

For Dunfermline a win could have provided the spark to revive their season. Three points would have put them within sight of both Dundee clubs and Hearts.

As it is they are four points adrift of second bottom Dundee United.

Dunfermline keeper Lee Butler displayed lightning reflexes to save a Jim Hamilton blockbuster from 16 yards on eight minutes.

On the half-hour Hearts keeper Roddy McKenzie got the chance to show off his talents diving at full stretch to palm George Shaw's header around the post.

Not to be outdone, Butler replied with his own piece of brilliance stopping a rifled shot that was heading for the corner of his net from Steve Fulton's boot.

Before half time McKenzie made another spectacular save - this time beating away a close range Dave Graham shot.

The second half started brightly with an Andy Tod header rattling the Hearts crossbar.

But then the game deteriorated and was played out using the same kick-and-rush tactics that had been used for most of the first period.

Dunfermline: Butler, Shields, McCulloch, Tod, French, Huxford, Smith, Britton, Petrie, Shaw, Graham. Subs: Westwater, Edinho, McDonald, Martin, Templeman.

Hearts: McKenzie, McPherson, Jenkinson, Fulton, Hamilton, Locke, Flogel, McKinnon, Pressley, Murie, Lilley. Subs: Quitongo, Hogarth, Horn, Holmes, McSwegan.