Hearts 0 Motherwell 1

Hearts head coach John Robertson saw his homecoming wrecked by Motherwell in the Bank of Scotland Premier League at Tynecastle.

A 28th-minute Richie Foran penalty was enough to secure the points after Martyn Corrigan had been tripped in the box by Alan Maybury - the challenge earning the Hearts defender a red card.

Robertson had earned himself legendary status among the Hearts supporters as a player during his 10 years he spent at the club.

He was given a standing ovation by the supporters who had braved the freezing conditions to watch the game and his players immediately set about trying to make sure the visit of Motherwell would be a game Robertson would never forget.

The first chance fell to Mark de Vries, but his close-ranger header was easily held by Motherwell goalkeeper Gordon Marshall in what looked set to be a busy afternoon for the veteran keeper.

Next up was Dennis Wyness. Jamie McAllister's free-kick was met by Ramon Pereira at the corner flag and he threaded the ball through to Wyness only for him to fire across the face of goal and agonisingly wide of the upright.

McAllister then had a go himself when he bulleted a header just wide of target from a few yards out.

But Hearts were dealt a double blow in the 28th minute.

David Clarkson threaded the ball through to Corrigan in the box and he was tripped by Maybury.

Referee John Rowbotham immediately pointed to the penalty spot before brandishing the red card at Maybury for his last-man challenge on the Motherwell player.

Foran stepped up for the spot-kick and calmly slid the ball past Craig Gordon.

Foran should have added to his own tally for the day in the 52nd minute.

Jim Paterson's shot forced Gordon to come off his line to block and the ball fell kindly to the feet of Foran.

All that was required from the Irishman was the fire home into an empty net, but he smacked the ball off the post instead and the danger was cleared by the Hearts' defence.

At the other end of the park, there was controversy when de Vries released Pereira into the box and he claimed he had been brought down by Marshall.

Instead of pointing to the spot for the second time in the game, the referee cautioned the Hearts' player for diving - producing a furious reaction from Pereira.

That proved to be his last real involvement in the game when he was replaced by Graham Weir shortly after.

The Tynecastle side pushed forward in search of the goal which could give them a share of the points and the glory could have gone to substitute Kevin McKenna.

Steven Pressley was the provider, playing a long ball to the Canadian but his low drive was disappointingly weak and allowed to fall harmlessly past the post.

But, ultimately, it was a disappointing end for Robertson on his return.

Teams

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Maybury, Wyness (Janczyk 63), Kisnorbo (McKenna 78), Hartley, McAllister, de Vries, Pereira (Weir 65).

Subs Not Used: Moilanen, Hamill, MacFarlane, Berra.

Sent Off: Maybury (27).

Booked: Pereira, de Vries.

Motherwell Marshall, Paul Quinn, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell, Corrigan, Leitch, Paterson, Fitzpatrick (Burns 64), Foran, Clarkson (Wright 90).

Subs Not Used: Corr, Cowan, Kinniburgh, Higgins.

Booked: Paterson.

Goals: Foran 28 pen.

Att: 10,598

Ref: J Rowbotham (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com