Hearts v Motherwell

Hearts 1

Sutton 59′

Motherwell 2

Higdon 3′ McGowan 8′ (og)

FT 90 +4
HT 0-2

Highlights - Hearts 1-2 Motherwell

By Andy Campbell BBC Sport Scotland

Motherwell compounded a miserable week for Hearts with victory at Tynecastle.

The hosts, who parted with manager John McGlynn in midweek, fell two behind early on as Michael Higdon and a Dylan McGowan own goal put 'Well in command.

Hearts rallied in the second half and pulled one back through John Sutton's header just before the hour mark.

But the visitors were resolute and consigned the home side to a fifth straight defeat - a disappointing start for interim boss Gary Locke.

The Steelmen, who remain second in the Scottish Premier League are now three points clear of Inverness.

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After slipping to second-bottom in the league the day before McGlynn's departure, the last thing Hearts needed was a sloppy start.

Indeed, it was worse than that as Stuart McCall's side netted twice in the opening eight minutes.

Higdon happened upon a loose ball after James McFadden had tried to force his way through a couple of challenges and the big striker rattled the ball past Jamie MacDonald from outside the box.

And then the unfortunate McGowan diverted over his own goal-line from Nicky Law's rebound effort, the midfielder's initial effort having been blocked by MacDonald.

John Sutton scores for Hearts against Motherwell

Sutton's headed goal gave Hearts hope

Facing such an uphill task, the hosts needed their experienced players to show some leadership and Mehdi Taouil tried to oblige with a curling shot wide.

Hearts' defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again when Higdon bustled through and rounded MacDonald but Andy Webster was well placed to clear the eventual cutback.

Michael Ngoo had looked lively for with a couple of headers for the home side and the on-loan Liverpool striker tested Darren Randolph with a superb shot on the turn, the Motherwell keeper reacting well to parry out for a corner.

The home side needed a break and an aggrieved McCall may feel they were given one in the build-up to the Sutton goal.

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The Motherwell boss was unhappy his team were not awarded a throw-in before Arvydas Novikovas won and delivered the corner from which the former Fir Park favourite nodded home.

Hearts were galvanised and a scramble in the box ended with Ryan Stevenson's shot blocked by the legs of Randolph.

But that was as close as Locke's side came to a leveller as Motherwell made good use of possession to frustrate their hosts in the closing stages.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Heart of Midlothian

01 MacDonald
04 Wilson
06 Webster
14 Walker (B King - 77' )
29 McHattie
07 Stevenson
10 Taouil
19 McGowan (Mullen - 52' )
27 Tapping (Novikovas - 46' )
09 Sutton
21 Ngoo

Substitutes

13 Ridgers
30 Mullen
15 Holt
16 Prychynenko
18 Novikovas
32 B King
37 Carrick

Motherwell

01 Randolph
03 Hammell
05 Hutchinson
30 Cummins
04 Law
06 Hateley
07 Humphrey (Daley - 57' )
14 Lasley
08 Ojamaa Booked (McHugh - 73' )
09 Higdon
20 McFadden Booked (Carswell - 79' )

Substitutes

12 Hollis
02 Saunders
19 Kerr
17 Daley
18 Carswell
11 Higginbotham
16 McHugh

Ref: Craig Thomson

Att: 11,048

Match Stats

Possession 58 42

Shots

21 4

On target

9 3

Corners

6 0

Fouls

12 12

Live Text Commentary

93:28 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +2:53

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

90:00 +1:53

Header by John Sutton (Hearts) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

90:00 +1:32

Goal kick taken long by Jamie MacDonald (Hearts).

90:00 +1:03

Attacking throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).