The Scottish winter break was extended by an extra week as Dundee United as Hibernian produced a tame goalless draw at Tannadice Park.

Both sides have enjoyed recent trips to warmer climes and gave every indication that they wished they were still enjoying the sun.

Certainly a chilly afternoon on Tayside was of little interest with United unable to bounce back from the December stutter which has threatened their UEFA Cup hopes.

The only minimal consolation on an afternoon everyone concerned has probably already forgotten was the form of strikers Steven Thompson and Kenny Miller.

Both men are seen as bright hopes for the future and have signed extensions to their contracts earlier this month.

Miller found space intelligently and Thompson's more direct approach briefly threatened the visitors goal but otherwise rival bosses Paul Sturrock and Alex McLeish will be happy to collect the point and depart.

United boss Paul Sturrock opted to keep his £150,000 midweek recruit from Aberdeen, Jim Hamilton, on the bench, preferring to give Alex Mathie his first start of the season.

Ian Murray was a surprise debutant in midfield for the visitors, who had Paul Lovering back after a three-month absence.

Mixu Paatelainen rolled a pass into the area, Miller nipped in to get the first touch at the near post and Alan Combe, fully recovered from his bout of flu, plunged to his right and turned it away for a corner.

Both sides showed plenty of urgency but little patience in possession.

Play switched ends so often the pitch resembled a giant pinball machine.

Nick Colgan did well to race from his goal to block Antoine Preget's effort, the Frenchman, latching onto Steven Thompson's header after Jason de Vos had lofted a free-kick into the box.

Israeli international Jan Telesnikov took some time to get involved after two months out with a pulled hamstring but looked a danger from any set-piece situation and he hammered in a free-kick which flicked off the Hibs wall and spun inches wide of Colgan's right-hand post.

Hibs' playmaker Russell Latapy was a subdued force after his midweek international for Trinidad against Morocco and appeared to accept his substitution for Paul Hartley on the hour with welcome relief.

After the meagre first-half offerings, three shots in as many minutes after the interval represented excitement of massive proportions.

Only Thompson really came close to breaking the deadlock but Combe tipped his 20-yard effort over the bar after Craig Easton and Stuart Lovell had attempted speculative efforts at either end.

Thompson headed Easton's cross wide from a central position, although his overall form has dipped markedly since the transfer of Billy Dodds to Rangers.

Miller is another flourishing young talent but Combe was his equal after 65 minutes when Derek Collins launched a long throw into the Hibs area.

Jason de Vos hesitated, allowing Pat McGinlay to flick on but although Miller's shot was instant, Combe scampered across his line to make a low save.

Colgan responded to the increased involvement of his fellow keeper by making his best save of the game shortly afterwards.

Antoine Preget played a dangerous ball into the heart of the Hibs defence, Mathias Jack's back pass was too weak, allowing Mathie to race on for his first shot of the afternoon - Colgan saving to his right.

It was Mathie's last contribution to proceedings and Hamilton arrived to try and break the deadlock.

John Hughes headed onto the roof of the net after Combe had conceded a bizarre corner, brushing the ball with his first rather than punching clear.

According to the table, this pair are the third and fifth best teams in Scotland - it's no wonder Rangers and Celtic want to leave.

Teams

Dundee Utd: Combe, De Vos, Pascual, Partridge, Hannah, Jonsson, Telesnikov, Easton (Worrell 88), Preget, Mathie (Hamilton 72), Thompson (Ferraz 82).

Subs Not Used: Onstad, McCulloch.

Booked: Partridge.

Hibernian: Colgan, Collins, Jack, Hughes, Lovering, Murry (Lehmann 75), Brebner, Latapy (Hartely 59), Lovell (McGinlay 62), Miller, Paatelainen.

Subs Not Used: Gottskalksson, Sauzee.

Booked: Lovering, McGinlay.

Att: 7,457

Ref: John Rowbotham (Scotland).