Hamilton 0 Hearts 0

Hearts suffered more red card misery at New Douglas Park as they were held to a goalless Premiership draw by Hamilton.

Igor Rossi was sent off by Bobby Madden for a two-footed challenge on Darren Lyon to undermine the visitors' chances of victory.

Hearts, who had Callum Paterson sent off in a subsequently-overturned decision during a 3-2 defeat at Hamilton in August, had looked the better side up until Rossi's 40th-minute dismissal but Hamilton then took control for a spell.

However, Hearts came closer to a winner when they hit the crossbar either side of Hamilton substitute Jesus Garcia Tena's 86th-minute red card.

The sides came into the game in hugely contrasting fortunes, Hamilton having suffered an 8-1 midweek defeat by Celtic with Hearts fresh from a 6-0 win over Motherwell.

Hearts were playing into a strong wind in the first half but the conditions caused problems for both teams as possession was regularly being lost.

Hamilton, who started with three central defenders, were first to threaten through Ali Crawford's free-kick, which bounced into Neil Alexander's hands.

At the other end Michael McGovern saved from both Rossi and Callum Paterson following Alim Ozturk's free-kick, after Michael Devlin had been booked for a challenge on Osman Sow.

Accies were looking far more solid than their midweek display but Miguel Pallardo's pass caught them out only for Sow to shoot well wide with his weaker right foot.

Hearts soon created another chance when Antons Kurakins left Billy King in yards of space and Prince Buaben found him from the opposite side of the box, but McGovern stood up well to parry the volley.

After the ball broke to the edge of the box, Rossi went in with two feet in a 50-50 with Lyon, sparking a mass pushing match. After both players received treatment, Rossi was sent off while Buaben, Ozturk and Hamilton midfielder Darian MacKinnon were booked.

Hearts immediately sacrificed striker Gavin Reilly for defender Jordan McGhee and Hamilton switched to a 4-4-2.

The hosts quickly got on top and created a number of chances after the break.

Crawford twice blazed over from 18 yards, Dougie Imrie shot wide after a short corner, and Paterson made a crucial clearance from Lyon's cutback.

Hamilton came closer still following several Crawford deliveries, Alexander making a brilliant diving save from Devlin's header.

Hearts came back into it and Blazej Augustyn crashed a header off the bar following Ozturk's cross and they finished the match on top after Garcia Tena was shown a straight red card for a foul on Arnaud Djoum.

Dario Zanatta headed off the bar as Hearts pressed and McGovern made a point-blank stop from Juanma Delgado in the closing seconds.