Blunt Rangers ended the weekend six points adrift of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts as their domestic six-game winning run was halted in a goalless draw at Hibernian.

Following Hearts' victory at Dundee United on Saturday, only a win would do for Rangers in Leith if they were to narrow the gap at the top back to four points.

But Hibs delivered a resolute response to the thumping they suffered in Falkirk last week, earning a result that favours their city rivals in their title push.

David Gray's side will feel like this was a case of two points dropped, given they created the clearer chances, despite surviving a late VAR call when Mikey Moore's finish was ruled out for offside.

In a subdued opening 20 minutes, both teams posed threats from set-pieces but poor decision-making plagued the game's attacking play.

However, the first real chance, an Elie Youan whipped effort that was tipped away by Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, sparked an intense spell of Hibs pressure.

Martin Boyle then broke through but was denied by Butland in a one-on-one situation, before Youan diverted wide a close-range header.

After the break, Youan was thwarted by a last-ditch block and looped a header over as uninspiring Rangers failed to create, registering just two shots on target.

Desperate defending was on show in a frenetic finale, but both sides would ultimately have to settle for a point apiece, a result that could prove to be damaging for Danny Rohl's men come May.

With no Kieron Bowie, who was sold for a club record fee on Friday, and injured duo Jamie McGrath and Josh Mulligan missing, this looked a tall order for wounded Hibs.

Many predicted a seventh straight Premiership win for Rangers, but Rohl's side desperately lacked creativity in open play.

The introduction Moore, who was so close to becoming the matchwinner, added unpredictability, but that was not enough for the away side, who have work to do in the final third if they are to make up a six-point deficit in the space of 14 games.

Andreas Skov Olsen, who was viewed as a statement January signing, struggled to impose himself on the game in the Rangers attack, as did Youssef Chermiti and fellow starting forward Djeidi Gassama.

Failing to score from an expected goals rating of almost two points to wastefulness from a Hibs side who managed 16 shots inside the Rangers box.

However, Gray can be pleased with the reaction from his depleted team - and new recruit Kai Andrews' debut off the bench - after a sobering couple of weeks.

Hibs head coach David Gray: "We deserved all three points. We had the best chances. We could be a bit more clinical. A little bit of frustration we haven't won the game, but that's a good place to be off the back of the last two results.

"It was much more like us. It's very much about making sure we keep working hard, sticking together. It was a young group towards the end, but once we get a few back I'm confident we can end the season strongly."

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl: "Tough game. Both teams tried and invested a lot. In the end we are disappointed we couldn't win, but honestly I take the draw today.

"We had some good phases in the game where we couldn't score. In such a game you need this magic moment. We were close with Mikey Moore. In the end we did not deserve the three points."

Both sides return to Premiership action on Wednesday (19:45 GMT) as Rangers host Kilmarnock and Hibs welcome Dundee United.