Uche Ikpeazu accepted the blame for Hearts’ failure to break down Livingston in Saturday’s goalless draw.
The big striker missed the best opportunity in a game of few chances, unable to beat goalkeeper Matija Sarkic in the first half after being played in by Sean Clare..
Livingston played the bulk of the second half with just 10 men after Aymen Souda was sent off and Ikpeazu was frustrated his side could not take advantage.
He said: “We should win the game especially when you’re playing against 10 men. They were camped in and when you get a chance you have to take it.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t do that but I’ll work hard and look to put things right on Wednesday (against St Johnstone).
“I did the right thing with the chance but the ‘keeper made a good save. I made a decision and I know I should have scored.”
The Englishman, though, felt it could prove to be a decent result at a notoriously hostile venue.
He added: “Livingston is a tough place to come to and I don’t think it’s a bad point. I think we should have won but they beat Celtic 2-0 at home.
“Sometimes in football it becomes even harder to break them down when they go down to 10 men.”
Hearts are now just a point ahead of bottom side St Johnstone but Ikpeazu is confident they will move up the table soon.
He added: “It’s too early in the season to be making predictions but I don’t think we’ll be down at the bottom of the table and it’s up to the players to make sure of that.
“I think we’re definitely just one game win away from going on a good run.”
Livingston manager Gary Holt expressed his delight at shutting Hearts out to earn the point.
He said: “To play 40 minutes and stoppage time with 10 men is brilliant. To a man we were brilliant. I said after last week’s defeat to Kilmarnock only they could answer the question were they too cocky because they had beaten Celtic the game before. And they have done that.
“This showed what we are and where we are as a club. They showed the club and fans that never-say-die attitude. Not to concede a goal was immense.”
