Classic match: Motherwell 2, Hearts 4 - February 21, 1998

However, Jim Hamilton threw Hearts a lifeline when he pulled one back with a superb header in the 39th minute before the same player pounced again 13 minutes after the interval to make it 2-2.

And, as Hearts showed the fantastic spirit which has fuelled their title challenge to the Old Firm this season, a remarkable fightback was completed as Steve Fulton and Stephane Adam both struck in the final 25 minutes to clinch victory.

The home side should have been in front after just 40 seconds when a left wing cross from Stephen McMillan flashed in front of the Hearts goal, only for Tommy Coyne to let Hearts off the hook as he failed to connect at the back post.

Hearts responded right away and, in the third minute, Stevie Woods had to rush off his line to clear as Adam almost latched on to a lucky break of the ball for Hearts.

However, there was no second let-off for the visitors in the fifth minute as Coyle opened the scoring with the simplest of goals.

As the ball broke in the left-hand side of the Hearts box, Willie Falconer turned to send a cross into the middle and Coyle was completely unmarked as he headed past Gilles Rousset into the goalkeeper's left-hand corner.

Coyle also sent a header just over after getting on the end of a Billy Davies cross in the 20th minute but Hearts then began to pepper the Motherwell goal with shots as they tried to get back on level terms.

Adam was just wide with one effort on the turn before Fulton came even closer with a shot which was superbly flipped over the bar by Woods.

Neil McCann cut in from the wing to send a right-foot shot straight at Woods in 32 minutes but it was the Motherwell fans who were celebrating again when their side struck for second time five minutes later and, once again, it was dreadful marking by the Hearts defence which was exploited by the home side, Falconer completely unmarked on the edge of the six yards box as he met a Coyle cross to plant a header past the helpless Rousset.

The big Hearts support behind the Frenchman's goal had been silenced but, in 39 minutes, they erupted with joy as Hamilton pulled a goal back. Hamilton displayed his aerial threat as he directed a header into the corner from fully 12 yards out

Stefano Salvatori was replaced by Gary Locke, making his 100th first team appearance, ten minutes into the second half.

The travelling support were given something to shout about in 58 minutes as the Gorgie side drew level with a bizarre goal.

Woods appeared to have gathered the ball after it had been played into the box by the marauding Weir but, to the surprise of everyone in the ground, he fumbled it into the path of Hamilton and the big striker hammered home his second goal.

It was no more than Hearts deserved, however, for their work and, just seven minutes later, the Jambo Army erupted with delight once again as Hearts made it 3-2. Adam tried to beat Woods with a clever chip from the right hand side of the box and, while the Motherwell goalkeeper was able to beat the ball away, it dropped to Fulton who drilled an angled left foot shot through a ruck of bodies into the back of the net.

Three minutes before the end, Hearts wrapped up a remarkable victory when Adam stayed just on-side to head home after being picked out in the middle by a lovely left-wing cross from McCann.

Taken from the Scotsman