Leaders Hearts dropped Scottish Premiership points for the third game running as they played out a goalless draw with Motherwell.
The visitors had goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow to thanks for some superb saves as Motherwell created the better chances.
The Tynecastle side move five points clear but Celtic, who have two games in hand, can move within two should they beat Hibernian on Sunday.
Motherwell and Hearts sides produced one of the games of the season when they last met back in August as Derek McInnes’ side rallied from 3-0 down to snatch a draw at Tynecastle.
Hopes were high for a similarly free-flowing game, but chances were few and far between in the first half.
Stuart Findlay was robbed of possession in his own penalty area by Elijah Just, who squared for Tawanda Maswanhise, but the in-form Zimbabwe international could not make a clean connection and the chance was lost.
Motherwell had the ball in the net when Elliot Watt clipped a cross into the box and Callum Hendry stretched to convert. The celebrations among the home fans were shortlived, though, as the VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
Just passed up a glorious opportunity early in the second half when he headed straight at Schwolow having been picked out beautifully by Maswanhise.
After being largely outplayed in the first half, Hearts came out with greater purpose and quicker tempo after the break.
They thought they had taken the lead when Lawrence Shankland met a corner to send a looping header goalwards, only for Callum Hendry to intervene with a brilliant goalline clearance.
Moments later Maswanhise had a goal ruled out for offside before Schwolow produced three big saves in as many minutes to deny substitute Ibrahim Said, Lukas Fadingar and a free-kick from Callum Slattery.
More to follow.
