By Gavin McCafferty, PA Sport

Motherwell boss Mark McGhee got the game to remember he wanted in their first outing since the death of skipper Phil O'Donnell as his players came from two down to force a 2-2 draw against Hearts and earn a Scottish Cup replay.

They fell behind within 10 minutes when Deividas Cesnauskis volleyed Hearts ahead and were heading for a fourth-round exit when Andrius Velicka netted seven minutes after the interval.

But Chris Porter finished off two superb moves to earn Motherwell a replay and the acclaim of their 3,500 travelling fans.

The Well support unveiled a huge number 10 strip emblazoned with "O'Donnell" and "brave as a lion" - a description coined during commentary of their 1991 Scottish Cup final win when a teenage O'Donnell netted a courageous diving header.

The squad, who had their former skipper's autograph embroidered into their jerseys, took a few moments before kick-off to join together in a huddle in front of their fans.

And they went on to produce a proud display in one of the most emotional occasions in the club's history. Paul Quinn donned the captain's armband while Keith Lasley performed brilliantly after stepping into the midfield position occupied by O'Donnell until he collapsed with heart failure two weeks ago.

The start everyone except Hearts wanted almost came in the fourth minute when Ross McCormack's low cross found O'Donnell's nephew, David Clarkson, in space 10 yards out but Christophe Berra and Eduardis Kurskis dived at his feet to block.

Hearts came close when Velicka shot a yard wide and they took the lead in the 10th minute when Cesnauskis calmly volleyed into the far corner after Andrew Driver had crossed from the byline.

McCormack had a 20-yard free-kick deflected wide but Hearts broke quickly from the resulting corner and Driver curled over from long range.

Kurskis, who was in for the injured Steve Banks, was almost embarrassed at his near post from McCormack's inswinging free-kick from the left touchline but the Lithuanian scrambled to push the ball.

Hearts were stretching Motherwell when they attacked and the visitors took time to settle down on the slippy surface. But they had a good spell around the half-hour mark and a deflected Stephen Hughes shot just evaded Steven McGarry at the back post.

The home side steadied the ship and Motherwell's only further chance of the half came on the break when Porter headed wide under pressure following Jim Paterson's cross.

And Paterson cleared from the foot of Driver in the opposite goalmouth following a long throw.

Quinn was booked for a late tackle on Berra after the break and the Hearts support showed no mercy to Clarkson by booing his every touch after he went down when Jose Goncalves brushed him off as they chased a pass.

Clarkson was attacking again when referee Stuart Dougal stopped play after Berra had been struck by a shot in his midriff.

Dougal then penalised Clarkson for a push on Goncalves, who had contested the drop ball, and Hearts added insult to injury by scoring seconds later.

Velicka latched on to the long ball as it bounced on the edge of the Motherwell box and he rounded Graeme Smith to double the lead in the 53rd minute.

Stewart was then booked for a foul on Clarkson but Hearts were looking comfortable and Ksanavicius should have made it three when a Cesnauskis cross found him unmarked at the back post, but his header bounced into Smith's hands.

However, Well pulled one back in the 64th minute after a superb move. Lasley flicked the ball into the path of McCormack and he squared for Porter to stroke home. Neilson was booked for a foul on Paterson as Motherwell continued to press, and Porter levelled in the 78th minute.

Lasley made a superb run down the right and crossed for Porter to strike first-time into the far corner.

Quinn showed why he was made captain with a brilliant block on Velicka after the game had opened up around him 18 yards out.

Both sides had chances to win it in a thrilling finale. Clarkson shot wide from 25 yards and Goncalves cleared from Porter three yards out after McCormack's cross had bypassed Kurskis.

Velicka's shot spun off Paterson's diving block before bouncing off the bar and Well survived late pressure before the whole squad and management team greeted their fans behind the goal.

Teams:

Hearts Kurskis, Neilson, Karipidis, Berra, Goncalves, Cesnauskis (Mikoliunas 74), Stewart, Palazuelos,Driver (Wallace 77), Ksanavicius (Pospisil 87), Velicka.

Subs Not Used: Bjornsson, Jonsson.

Booked: Stewart, Neilson.

Goals: Cesnauskis 10, Velicka 52.

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, Clarkson (Fitzpatrick 90), McGarry (Darren Smith 63), Lasley,Hughes, Porter, McCormack.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Brian McLean, Murphy.

Booked: Quinn, Craigan.

Goals: Porter 64, 78.

Att: 13,651

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).

Taken from sportinglife.com