Dennis Wyness finally ended Hearts' home Bank of Scotland Premier League goal
drought against Rangers to earn a share of the points at Tynecastle.
The Light Blues had taken the lead through Craig Moore from the penalty spot
after Peter Lovenkrands was brought down in the box by Robbie Neilson.
But substitute Wyness grabbed a point when he netted Hearts' first home SPL
goal against the Ibrox club since September 2001.
Rangers headed into the game knowing there was little more than pride to play
for throughout the remainder of the season after their last real chance of
silverware disappeared last week when they were dumped out of the Tennents
Scottish Cup by Celtic.
But the game gave Hearts supporters another chance to voice their opposition
to the planned move from Tynecastle to Murrayfield at the end of the season.
The Heart of Midlothian Supporters Trust and the Federation of Hearts
Supporters Clubs arranged a march to protest against the Tynecastle board ahead
of the game with around 3000 fans taking part.
The march through Edinburgh ended at the stadium where Hearts legend Gary
Mackay led a demonstration, which called for the removal of the current board
and chief executive Chris Robinson over the proposed move to Murrayfield.
Once the game was underway, it was goalkeepers Stefan Klos and Craig Gordon
who stole the show in the first-half with some first-class saves.
Rangers goalkeeper Klos did well to deny Alan Maybury's 25-yard shot after he
had been set up by Kevin McKenna.
Not to be outdone, Gordon frustrated Rangers when he blocked a Stephen Hughes
volley before denying Moore's header shortly before the break.
But a good first-half display by Hearts was almost undone when Patrick
Kisnorbo came close to handing Rangers the opener when his clearance of Fernando
Ricksen's header just clipped the Hearts' crossbar on the way over.
Rangers made a half-hearted claim for a penalty four minutes after the
re-start when Gavin Rae went to ground in the box under pressure from Andy
Webster, but referee Kenny Clark was unimpressed and play continued.
However, Rangers only had to wait until the 54th minute to be awarded a
spot-kick.
Rae released Peter Lovenkrands into the box and he was brought down by Robbie
Neilson before Moore converted from 12 yards.
The home side went in search of the equaliser and had a chance to draw level
again when Hartley's corner was met by Kisnorbo but, again, Klos was on hand to
deny the Australian.
At the other end of the park, quick-thinking was required from Maybury to hook
Ricksen's header off the line seconds before Lovenkrands fired over the crossbar
when it looked easier to score.
But Hearts were back on level terms in the 75th minute.
Steven Pressley's free-kick was met by McKenna who nodded into the path of
Wyness to volley home.
Two minutes later, Rangers should have been back in front when Rae released
Maurice Ross into the box and he was clear on goal only to fire wide of the
target.
But it was Hearts who looked most likely to snatch a late winner with Joe
Hamill and Neil Janczyk both coming close in the final minutes in a grandstand
finish to the game.
Teams
Hearts Gordon, Kisnorbo, Pressley, Webster (Wyness 60),
Maybury, Neilson, Stamp, Hartley (Janczyk 67), Hamill, McKenna,
Weir (Kirk 75).
Subs Not Used: Moilanen, MacFarlane.
Booked: Maybury.
Goals: Wyness 75.
Rangers Klos, Moore, Berg, Frank de Boer, Ross, Ricksen,
Hughes, Rae, Ball (Burke 86), Lovenkrands,
Ronald de Boer (Mols 74).
Subs Not Used: McGregor, Khizanishvili, Vanoli.
Booked: Moore, Ronald de Boer.
Goals: Moore 55 pen.
Att: 14,598
Ref: K Clark (Scotland).