Motherwell 1 Hearts 1

Motherwell edged a step closer to finishing the season in the top half of the Bank of Scotland Premier League table when they fought back to take a point from Hearts.

The Fir Park side are desperate to hold onto sixth place until the league splits later this month and a David Clarkson header kept that dream alive.

Hearts had taken the lead in the first half through Dennis Wyness but Motherwell showed their fighting spirit after the break and were rewarded when Clarkson found the back of the net.

There was drama off the field for Hearts earlier this week when George Foulkes took over as chairman following the resignation of Doug Smith as the fall-out over the proposed move to Murrayfield continues.

Foulkes has revealed that taking up tenancy at the home of Scottish rugby could be delayed for 12 months, a decision that would surely go some way to consoling the large number of Hearts fans who staunchly oppose the move.

But attention returned to the football field tonight as Craig Levein's men turned their focus to Motherwell after coming agonisingly close to an historic win over Celtic at the weekend, which would have ended the Hoops' unbeaten run this season.

Motherwell were also in action against the Old Firm at the weekend and they welcomed Hearts to Fir Park just three days after losing by a single goal to Rangers at the same venue.

But it was Hearts who looked the stronger side in the first half and they subjected their hosts to a wave of pressure within minutes of the game kicking off.

Wyness threaded the ball through to Paul Hartley and he tried his luck with a shot at goal from inside the area but goalkeeper Gordon Marshall managed to block and Wyness' rebound was cleared by Martyn Corrigan.

The home side were given just a few seconds respite before Hearts were threatening again. This time Hartley picked out towering hitman Mark de Vries with the corner only for the Dutchman to nod just wide of the target.

The first change of the game came after just 25 minutes but it was not one of the players - referee Charlie Richmond limped off after appearing to pull a muscle and he was replaced by fourth official Cammy Melville after a couple of minutes consultation.

That was the only real incident of note until that point but Hearts surged into the lead two minutes later as the Tynecastle side's domination finally paid off.

Robbie Neilson fired a cross into the box which took a deflection before falling at the feet of Wyness to hook home from six yards, leaving Marshall completely helpless.

Craig Levein was forced to make a change two minutes before half-time when Christophe Berra limped off and was replaced by Scott Severin. He had been given a place on the bench after feeling the effects of Saturday's game against Celtic after recently recovering from a hernia operation.

Motherwell hauled themselves back into the game when they grabbed the equaliser after 61 minutes. Steven Craig picked out an unmarked Clarkson on the edge of the six yard box and he guided the header past Craig Gordon into the back of the net.

The home side were clearly boosted by the goal and they could have added to their tally when Alex Burns flighted a long ball into the path of Corrigan out on the left flank and he managed to squeeze a shot at goal from the tightest of angles only for Gordon to block at the near post.

With the three points now up for grabs, both sides battled for the winner in the last 10 minutes of the game and that could have fallen to Hearts when Wyness tried to pick out substitute Andy Kirk in front of goal but Marshall was first to the ball and the chance was lost.

But neither side could find the killer touch in front of goal and were forced to settle for a share of the points.

Teams

Motherwell Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Quinn, Hammell, Craig, Adams, O'Donnell, Dair, Burns, Clarkson.

Subs Not Used: Corr, Kevin McDonald, Fagan, Wright, Fitzpatrick.

Goals: Clarkson 61.

Hearts Gordon, Kisnorbo, Pressley, Maybury, Neilson, MacFarlane, Hartley (Janczyk 81), Berra (Severin 44), Weir (Kirk 90), de Vries, Wyness.

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Hamill.

Goals: Wyness 28.

Att: 5,500

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com