Jim Jefferies last night admitted he could not fault his team after they finally bowed out of the race for Europe with a 0-0 draw against Dundee United.

Remarkably things went Hearts way at Fir Park in the most dramatic of circumstances, Motherwell fighting back to secure a 6-6 draw, but the result in Gorgie was not enough for the men in maroon who now will finish sixth.

"We gave everything we could, but they are a big strong team and any aerial would be difficult," Jim said after the game.

"I thought we had a great opportunity towards the end and we seemed to pass the buck.

"It sat up nicely for Gary Glen and I was shouting at him to hit it, but he thought that Temps was in a better position. Temps is not a striker and when you are a striker. Someone said to me that Robbo would not have passed it - he'd have put his foot through the ball, which is what Gary should have done.

"Effort-wise I could not fault them. We went gung-ho in the last 20 minutes when we went with a three-pronged attack with Smith, Elliot and Glen. Towards the end we pulled Smith in a little bit and put Bouzid in to try and get on the end of it.

"It was not to be and it was not through lack of effort. The damage was done against Motherwell because if we applied ourselves as we did tonight and against Hibs then we would not have lost that game."

On Hearts.TV today - Listen to post-match reaction from Jim and Ruben and catch highlights from the 0-0 draw against Dundee United