Jan 13 2008 Mark Guidi At Tynecastle

MARK McGHEE pleaded for a proper cup tie in Well's first game back since the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell.

And the Fir Park boss got his wish with a match full of goals, drama and excitement.

Hearts looked set for a place in the fifth round after strikes from Deividas Cesnauskis and Andrius Velicka put them in control.

But Motherwell's brave players fought back and a Chris Porter double sealed a replay on an emotional day at Tynecastle.

McGhee's troops took a bow at full-time in front of the massive travelling support after their gutsy display.

There was pace and energy from both sides in a thrilling opening 15 minutes.

Defending set-pieces has been a problem for Motherwell this season and they had more trouble early on here.

Keeper Graeme Smith was unconvincing coming to collect a corner and Christophe Berra almost punished him with a header that didn't have enough power to get over the line.

At the other end Hearts recalled keeper Eduardas Kurskis who was a nervous wreck.

The Lithuanian has made several costly mistakes this season and now looks capable of doing so in every game.

A Ross McCormack cross gave David Clarkson a clear sight of Kurskis' goal after three minutes but the striker hesitated and his effort was blocked.

The Jambos had slightly more possession than Well and there was more fluency in their passing. Their movement off the ball was also better.

And that led to Hearts opening the scoring after nine minutes through Cesnauskis.

Audrius Ksanavicius got down the left and his cross found his fellow Lithuanian unmarked at the back post. Cesnauskis cleverly cushioned an effort towards goal and it went in off Smith's right-hand post.

The Tynecastle side almost doubled their lead when Andrew Driver's curling left-foot shot flew just a foot over.

Motherwell tried to push Hearts back but found it difficult to get going on the frosty pitch.

The home team looked more likely to score again before the break although the pace of the game dropped considerably after half an hour.

Taking their recent form into account Hearts must have been delighted to be ahead at half-time.

And they doubled their lead seven minutes after the interval through Velicka.

Kurskis hit a long free-kick into the Motherwell half and the ball was flicked on by midfielder Michael Stewart.

Velicka reacted faster than the sleeping Well defence and raced clear on Smith.

The striker then showed his skill by rounding the diving keeper before stroking the ball home from a tight angle.

However, Motherwell will rightly contest the goal as it came from a refereeing mistake.

Berra went down injured and the ref stopped play - despite the fact it wasn't a head injury.

Motherwell were on the edge of the Jambos box and should have been allowed to continue.

Hearts thought their place in the next round was safe and sound after Velicka's strike but they were wrong.

Motherwell dug deep into their reserves of courage and pulled a goal back in 63 minutes through striker Porter.

Stephen Hughes dinked the ball to Keith Lasley and he found McCormack on the wing.

The youngster whipped in a cross and Porter put it away for a great goal. That gave McGhee's men a massive lift and they surged forward.

Well clearly believed they had a leveller in them and it came after 77 minutes.

McCormack played the ball out wide to Lasley and his cross wasn't dealt with by Ruben Palazuelos. Porter reacted and managed to flick the ball past Kurskis for the equaliser.

The goal came in front of the packed Motherwell end and the travelling masses got enormous pleasure from it.

O'Donnell would have been proud of the fighting spirit and determination on show as Well refused to let Hearts dump them out of the cup.

But the Jambos almost grabbed a winner when Velicka's shot was deflected on to the bar.

All the Motherwell players were heroes yesterday but Lasley and McCormack stood out.

Former Rangers kid McCormack had a great second half in what could be his last game for the club.

Middlesbrough are leading the chase for the Scotland Under-21 star who is out of contract in the summer. But boss McGhee will hope he is still at Fir Park for the replay on January 22 and beyond.

Taken from the Sunday Mail