Hearts 3 Motherwell 2

This may have been the last game of the Bank of Scotland Premier League season but it was anything but a meaningless match as Hearts finally emerged with the points following a five-goal thriller.

More than 11,000 supporters crammed into Tynecastle as Hearts took the lead through Dennis Wyness before finding themselves behind following goals from Scott McDonald and David Clarkson.

But the home side were determined to end the season on a high and they took maximum points when Wyness grabbed his second goal of the day before a Kevin McKenna header secured the win.

The Tynecastle side did not look like they were already looking ahead to their summer holidays and went ahead with just five minutes on the clock thanks to a Wyness strike.

Paul Hartley took the ball to the byline before squeezing a cross into the path of the Jambos hitman - who had been given the nod ahead of Neil Janczyk for the game - and Wyness bulleted the ball home from six yards.

That should have been the wake-up call Motherwell needed but it was Hearts who continued to look the stronger side and Wyness was unfortunate not to add to his tally when Hartley was once again the provider - but he failed to connect properly and the chance was lost.

As the game headed towards half-time, Motherwell started to look more dangerous and they were back on level terms after 36 minutes.

Clarkson fired a cross into the path of Alex Burns and he somehow managed to smack the effort off the post when it looked so much easier to find the target.

Fortunately for Motherwell, McDonald was quick to pounce on the rebound to rattle home the equaliser.

Just when it looked likely that the game would be tied heading into half-time, a late surge from Terry Butcher's men saw them take the lead just seconds before the whistle.

Jason Dair's corner was met by Clarkson and he left goalkeeper Craig Gordon no chance with the header.

Thousands of balloons, with the words 'get this balloon out of Tynecastle' - aimed at chief executive Chris Robinson - were released by supporters as the teams ran out for the second half and the restart was held up as the pitch was cleared.

Once the game was under way, a rampant Motherwell side wasted no time in trying to add to their lead. Clarkson sent a dangerous-looking ball into the area and teenager Marc Fitzpatrick flicked on to McDonald - but his effort was cleared by the Hearts defence.

Patrick Kisnorbo had replaced Gary Tierney at half-time and the Australian was called into action almost immediately when he was forced to clear a Burns shot off the line.

After enjoying such a good start to the game, Hearts were keen to take at least a point and they continued to push forward in search of another goal.

MacFarlane flighted a free-kick to McKenna but he nodded wide - but Hearts did not have to wait too much longer for the leveller.

Hartley burst clear on goal only to see his shot blocked superbly by Barry-John Corr but the Motherwell goalkeeper couldn't prevent Wyness' rebound finding the back of the net.

But Hearts were unwilling to settle for a point and they were back in the lead after 73 minutes. Hartley was the provider as McKenna finally managed to find the back of the net with a close-range header.

With less than 10 minutes to go, Burns squandered another good opportunity to add his name to the scoresheet when he burst into the box with only the goalkeeper to beat but fired into the sidenetting.

Motherwell had another chance to snatch a point when Martyn Corrigan bulleted a header off the post - but they could not do enough to end the season with a share of the spoils.

Teams

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, McKenna, Webster, Tierney (Kisnorbo 45), Boyack (Janczyk 71), Severin, Hartley, MacFarlane (Kirk 71), Wyness, Hamill.

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Driver.

Booked: Severin.

Goals: Wyness 5, 68, McKenna 75.

Motherwell Corr, Corrigan, Craigan, Hammell, Lasley, Quinn, Scott McDonald, Fitzpatrick (Wright 78), Dair, Burns (Cowan 86), Clarkson.

Subs Not Used: Reid, Kevin McDonald, Higgins.

Booked: Quinn, Corrigan, Dair.

Goals: Scott McDonald 37, Clarkson 45.

Att: 11,619

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com