Heracles have missed the chance to move above Feyenoord in the Eredivisie after they were held to a goalless draw by SBV Excelsior.

The visitors suffered a body blow before kickoff when Khalid Karami was injured in the warm-up and Daan Bovenberg was drafted into the starting lineup at the 11th hour.

However, Excelsior started brightly in an otherwise cagey opening period, with Bas Kuipers trying his luck from distance, but failing to test keeper Bram Castro.

Heracles started to settle into the game after 15 minutes and had chances to take the lead with headers from Robin Gosens and Jaroslav Navratil, both of which were off target.

Before the end of the half, SBV had chances to break the deadlock through Tom van Weert, but could not find the back of the net.

As both continued to show profligacy in front of goal, Oussama Tannane tried to force the issue for Heracles, but could not beat Tom Muyters as both teams were forced to settle for a point.