Motherwell 2 Hearts 0

Motherwell earned their fourth win of the season over Hearts with first-half goals from Scott McDonald and Marc Fitzpatrick.

The Fir Park side had already earned a CIS Insurance Cup final place with an extra-time win over the Jambos earlier in the month.

But two Bank of Scotland Premier League victories had seen the Lanarkshire club take the bragging rights in the league.

However, today's two-goal victory was a comfortable afternoon for the home side at Fir Park.

Terry Butcher's side could also afford the luxury of a fluffed Jim Hamilton penalty on a day when Hearts looked nothing like the potential Old Firm challengers major shareholder Vladimir Romanov wants them to be.

Dennis Wyness thumped an early long-ranger into Gordon Marshall's gloves in the third minute but that was to be the high point of an extremely disappointing half for the visitors.

Hamilton lost no time in engaging in a physical tussle with Hearts skipper Steven Pressley, but it was a battle with a team-mate the home fans ended up wishing he had lost.

The ex-Dundee United and Livingston forward was determined to take the 13th-minute penalty Lee Wallace had conceded with a poorly-timed challenge on McDonald and Hamilton fended off the claims of regular spot-kick man Kevin McBride.

But McBride will not have been impressed with Hamilton's attempt from 12 yards, a left-foot effort which was almost straight at goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Well were not deterred, however, and took the lead in the 25th minute through McDonald.

Steven Hammell was the man who made it with a powerful run into the left of the box and, although Gordon was able to parry the resulting low drive, McDonald was on hand to slot home the rebound.

The Australian was booked seconds later though with referee Calum Murray taking a dim view of his celebrations in front of the away fans.

Wyness followed him into the book three minutes later for a foul on Stephen Craigan as Hearts' frustrations at being second best began to show.

They continued to be just that and Fitzpatrick made it 2-0 in the 39th minute to take advantage of some woeful defending.

Pressley began the uncertainty in the Jambos' back-line by landing on his backside in a botched attempt to clear.

And Fitzpatrick was able to drill past Gordon, despite the presence of Wallace and Christophe Berra.

Fitzpatrick, who had replaced the injured Phil O'Donnell, was the 18-year-old who had provided the extra-time winner which booked Well a CIS Cup final date with Rangers next month.

Hearts made a change eight minutes into the second half when Mark Burchill replaced Wyness up front.

Within seconds, strike partner Lee Miller had been booked for a foul on Hammell as Well continued to dominate.

Jim Paterson saw a volley saved and Gordon needed to tip a Hamilton header over his crossbar.

Hamilton then saw a left-footed effort deflected away off a defender after the ball had broken to him in the box.

Hearts' Lithuanians had been disappointing and Deividas Cesnauskis lasted just an hour before being replaced by Jamie McAllister.

Saulius Mikoliunas lasted the 90 minutes without contributing much and Marius Kizys was given only the final 10 minutes, replacing Stephen Simmons.

Berra was booked in the 61st minute for a foul on McDonald.

Hearts had rarely threatened but Marshall was under pressure when he spilled a Miller cross from the right as Burchill moved in to pounce.

Paul Quinn was alert to the danger, however, and was able to hoof clear.

The veteran keeper again came and failed to collect when a high ball was pumped into his box.

Miller sensed an opportunity, but Craigan was perfectly positioned to apply a boot.

With the points wrapped up, Well gave run-outs to substitute strikers David Clarkson and Richie Foran in the final few minutes.

Taken from sportinglife.com