Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes was frustrated his side was unable to end 2017 on a winning note after being held to a goalless draw by Hearts at Pittodrie.
The Dons dominated for long spells but failed to find the goal their play merited as they had to settle for a point.
McInnes had hoped to go into the winter break with three points but believes his players can be proud of the 43 they have amassed in the first half of the season.
He said: “John McLaughlin’s save from Rooney is as good as you will see. You can see why Hearts have kept so many clean sheets recently. They deserve with resilience and came here to be a counter-attacking team and frustrate us.
“The save Joe Lewis had to make in the first half was due to us not playing in the right areas but once we got our full backs overlapping I thought we controlled the game but we were guilty of not putting the ball in the back of the net.
“We just didn’t have that last pass and were guilty of missing a few chances. Sometimes you are frustrated at a 0-0 but I felt we gave everything.”
McInnes believes Jambos striker Kyle Lafferty’s red card for a foul on captain Graeme Shinnie was the correct decision.
He said: “It’s a red card. A manager will always try to defend his players but I don’t think it can be defended.
“It’s a complete rush of blood and it’s not a tackle he needs to make as he has a team-mate there covering. He comes in at 100 miles an hour and his intention is to foul Graeme Shinnie, not win the ball. It’s a clear red card.
“I’ve no issue with Hearts as tackles are there to be made but that one was reckless. Both teams were here to try to get a result.”
While there was disappointment for the Dons, Hearts manager Craig Levein was delighted with his side’s performance although he was disappointed with the red card shown to substitute Kyle Lafferty following his challenge on Graeme Shinnie.
Levein said: “It was a really tough match for us and the players deserve great credit as their workrate was fantastic. We had good chances to win the game as well.
“I hadn’t planned on playing Don Cowie in all these matches but with all the players that have been injured he had to play. He was in there with two 16-year-olds and he was different class.
“Our goalkeeper made three really good saves too but I would argue our chances were better and had things gone our away it could have been a different outcome.
“I’m thrilled for the boys and the only disappointment was Kyle Lafferty’s sending off.
“He is chasing back and in a recovery position when you tackle you have to get it right. I thought it was really harsh and it’s a particularly sour note for him as we’re heading into a break and he’ll have that on his mind.
“This is a really difficult place to come and get points, particularly just now. Since the confusion of whether Derek McInnes was leaving or staying has been sorted they’ve been fantastic and with seven players out we did well to see it out.”