Blair Spittal says Hearts’ good performance against Aberdeen “counts for nothing”.

Despite going a goal down early on at Pittodrie, Frankie Kent got the side back level before Spittal sent the Edinburgh outfit in front.

But Jorge Grant’s sending off was followed by a late goal from Aberdeen to snatch all three points.

“I think you could see that, given the run we have been on the amount of fans that stayed behind to see us off the park,” Spittal said.

“I think they can see the efforts are definitely getting put in by all the boys.

“The results aren’t going the way that we want but performance levels that were there, and the effort we put into the game, it is the little things like that we need to hang on to and take into the next game.

“We know the demands of this football club and what is expected that they we go out make sure we put in good performances but at the same time we need to get results.

“Thursday was a good night for us but it is disappointing we weren’t able to back that up.

“Aberdeen are in a good bit of form but I think for large parts I thought we were the better team but at the end of the day it counts for nothing.”