Ibrahim gets new gaffer Anatoly off to flying start

ANOTHER game, another coach and if Anatoly Korobochka is still in the Hearts hotseat on Saturday, he can brace himself for a showdown.

The Jambos travel to Pittodrie on level terms with Aberdeen after bagging three vital points at rain-lashed Fir Park last night.

A first-half strike by Ibrahim Tall and an own goal from Stephen Craigan put Hearts in third place alongside the Dons and the scene is set for a crunch clash between the two sides as they bid for the prize of European football next season.

After the fury over last week's racist chanting by a small group of fans at Fir Park, both teams emerged for the warm-up wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan Show Racism the Red Card.

It was a noble attempt at showing solidarity over an incident which brought shame to the Lanarkshire club but it wasn't a night for summer wear - duffle coats and scarves were more appropriate.

Masters of surprise Hearts pulled another one out the hat when they revealed their staring line-up.

Handed his debut in midfield was Linas Pilibaitis, a transfer window loan capture from Kaunas, as interim boss Korobochka attempted to make an immediate impression on team affairs.

Kristian Vadocz, on loan from Auxerre, was given his first start byMotherwell, replacing Marc Fitzpatrick, and Steven McGarry made way for Darren Smith.

Scott McDonald was suspended and David Clarkson took over from the Fir Park pin-up.

Torrential rain and a swirling wind made it difficult viewing for fans who opted not to take advantage of live TVcoverage.

With Valdas Ivanauskas occupied with matters elsewhere, it was left to new man Korobochka and coach Steve Frail to continue the battle for that top-three finish and the UEFA Cup place that goes with it.

The elements were always going to play a huge part in a clash the home side were hoping would blow away the memory of their Scottish Cup exit at the hands of St Johnstone.

Hearts opted to use Edgaras Jankauskas alongside Calum Elliot in an attack which was supported by Pilibaitis in a formation more than equipped to go for goals.

But Motherwell were first to threaten when Brian Kerr's through ball was missed by Marius Zaliukas, allowing Clarkson to run clear inside the area but Tall raced across to block.

It was a grim start. In fact, the only thing being allowed to flow was the torrent which fell from the heavens.

With 17 minutes on the clock Kerr was yellow carded - rather harshly - by referee Stuart Dougal for upending Laryea Kingston then the whistler added Craigan to his book for a challenge on Elliot, who was playing against the team he played on loan for earlier in the season.

A minute later Hearts defender Kestutis Ivaskevicius saw yellow for crudely blocking Clarkson's progress on the halfway line.

With 23 minutes on the clock the first effort on goal arrived when Pilibaitis drove forward to fire in a shot from the edge of the box which whistled inches past Graeme Smith's left-hand post.

Well should have broken the deadlock seconds later and only Jim Paterson will know why he delayed his finish after being sent clear by David Murphy.

The midfielder was perfectly placed to burst the net after rounding Craig Gordon but appeared lost in the excitement of the moment and only found the side net.

In 36 minutes Andrew Driver was offered a sight of goal after the ball broke to him at the edge of the area but his strike was just off target.

The deadlock was broken 60 seconds later when Tall rose unmarked at the near post to meet a Kingston corner and his header found the net while Smith made an unconvincing attempt to gather. It gave Hearts the upper hand and theywere gaining territorial advantage as the first half ground to a close.

Both teams reshuffled at the break, Kerr making way for Kevin McBride in the Well midfield andMichel Pospisil being sent on by the Jambos at the expense of Jankauskas.

In 50 minutes Clarkson raced clear from Christophe Berra only to be pulled back by Dougal for handball - a decision which infuriated Motherwell fans.

The home side threatened moments later when Vadocz hammered in a snap-shot which was comfortably held by Gordon.

Unlike the opening 45 minutes, there was now an energy play which almost and it almost brought Well an equaliser on the hour mark when Clarkson's header from a Paterson corner was bundled off the line by Kingston.

Motherwell were pressing hard for a way back into the game as their desperate quest for a top-six place continues and Murphy made way for the more attack-minded Trevor Molloy.

But Hearts delivered a sucker punch in 66 minutes when Kingston again delivered from the right. Elliot and Craigan rose together and the ball went in off the Well player.

Hearts survived a scare in 84 minutes when Gordon fumbled a cross from the right. It fell to Molloy who couldn't steer his effort on goal.

With five minutes left Smith had a shot hacked off the line by Kingston.

Well can rightly feel aggrieved at the margin of a defeat by a side who will just be glad to be back in Edinburgh with their Euro dream intact.

MOTHERWELL - Smith 6, Corrigan 6, Craigan 6, Reynolds 7, Murphy 6 (Molloy 64, 3), Paterson 5, Kerr 6 (McBride 45,4), Vadocz 5, Smith 5, McCormack 6, Clarkson 6. Subs not used - Martin, Keegan, McGarry, Quinn, Fitzpatrick.

HEARTS - Gordon 6, Ivaskevicius 6 (Jonsson 65, 3), Wallace 6, Berra 6, Tall 7, Zaliukas 5, Pilibaitis 6, Kingston 7, Jankauskas 5(Pospisil 45, 5), Elliot 6, Driver 6. Subs not used: Banks, Fyssas, Kancelsku, Glen, Mackie.

Referee -S Dougal

Taken from the Daily Record