Heart of Midlothian 1-2 Motherwell

Michael Higdon grabbed his 20th goal of the season as Motherwell's blistering start was enough to secure all three points in a narrow win at Hearts.

Hearts' new interim management team of Gary Locke and Darren Murray were taking charge for the first time following manager John McGlynn's departure on Thursday, but their side were left with a mountain to climb after conceding twice in the opening eight minutes.

Higdon swept in the opener for Motherwell before Dylan McGowan was credited with scoring an own goal when he failed to keep out a Nicky Law effort.

Former Motherwell striker John Sutton pulled one back after the break as Hearts put the visitors under pressure, but Stuart McCall's side held on to cement second place in the league and condemn the Tynecastle side to their fifth straight loss.

After admitting that managing Hearts on a permanent basis was his dream job, joint interim-manager Locke had the chance to stake his claim for the vacancy.

But the hosts could not have got off to a worse start.

Just under three minutes were on the clock when Higdon coolly swept a low 18-yard left-footed shot past Jamie MacDonald into the net. The ball came to the towering Englishman after advantage was played when James McFadden had been fouled by Andy Webster.

Hearts tried to responded immediately but Michael Ngoo headed over from a Ryan Stevenson cross.

Higdon then played a part in the visitors' second as Motherwell made a great start to the match.

The forward threaded a ball through to Law, who was afforded space inside the box. Law's first shot blocked by MacDonald but his second effort found the net after McGowan could only slice the ball into his own goal on the line.

Hearts were exhibiting all the signs of a team lacking in confidence, a factor that was not helped by moans and groans emanating from the home stands as the hosts failed to get a foothold on the game.

Things started to look better for the Tynecastle outfit, though.

Mehdi Taouil picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal but his right-footed curling effort sailed over the bar.

Callum Tapping then caused panic with a jinking run towards the edge of the area, before eventually passing to Jamie Walker. The winger's effort from 16 yards fell kindly into keeper Darren Randolph's arms after deflecting off Stevie Hammell.

Motherwell looked dangerous every time they attacked but Webster was on hand to clear the danger after 28 minutes when Higdon played a pass across the six-yard box, having rounded MacDonald.

Randolph pulled off a stunning save in the 34th minute to deny Ngoo. Taouil's diagonal cross was knocked down by Sutton and Ngoo's reverse shot looked goal-bound before the Irishman expertly got down to palm the ball clear.

Stevenson's snap-shot from close range was shanked well wide following a Adam Cummins tackle on John Sutton.

Arvydas Novikovas replaced Tapping at the break and the Lithuanian was involved in setting up Hearts' next chance seconds after the restart.

The winger's flick created a gap for Stevenson to drive into but the midfielder's tame shot was easily collected by Randolph.

Hearts dragged themselves back into the contest in the 59th minute, however, when Sutton headed in against his old club.

Motherwell felt aggrieved they were not awarded a throw-in on the halfway line and Novikovas earned a corner.

Sutton flung himself at the substitute's set-piece from close range to find the net.

Hearts piled on the pressure and Stevenson had a shot from a tight angle blocked by Randolph before Webster's left-footed half volleyed bounced just wide, but they fell short in the end.

The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

John Sutton takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.
91

Arvydas Novikovas has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.
86

Corner taken by Arvydas Novikovas.
85

Michael Higdon takes a shot. Save by Jamie MacDonald.
83

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph. Stewart Carswell fouled by Michael Ngoo, the ref awards a free kick. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick.
81

The offside flag is raised against Stewart Carswell. Jamie MacDonald takes the free kick.
79

James McFadden leaves the field to be replaced by Stewart Carswell.
78

Billy King takes a shot. Blocked by Shaun Hutchinson.
77

Jamie Walker leaves the field to be replaced by Billy King.
76

Foul by Jamie Walker on James McFadden, free kick awarded. Henrik Ojamaa goes off and Robert McHugh comes on. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.
72

John Sutton has an effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.
70

Foul by Shaun Hutchinson on John Sutton, free kick awarded. Booking for James McFadden. Arvydas Novikovas produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, save by Darren Randolph.
69

Danny Wilson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Henrik Ojamaa. Free kick crossed right-footed by Nicky Law, clearance made by Andy Webster.
66

Shot from just outside the penalty box by Andy Webster misses to the left of the target. Unfair challenge on Adam Cummins by Michael Ngoo results in a free kick. Adam Cummins takes the free kick.
63

Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a save. Arvydas Novikovas takes the outswinging corner, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance.
62

Mehdi Taouil challenges Henrik Ojamaa unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shaun Hutchinson takes the free kick.
60

Ryan Stevenson challenges Stevie Hammell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Randolph takes the indirect free kick.
59

Unfair challenge on Fraser Mullen by James McFadden results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Fraser Mullen.
59

Corner taken by Arvydas Novikovas, John Sutton grabs a headed goal from close in. Hearts 1-2 Motherwell.The assist for the goal came from Arvydas Novikovas.
57

(Motherwell) makes a substitution, with Omar Daley coming on for Chris Humphrey.
56

Chris Humphrey challenges Kevin McHattie unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kevin McHattie takes the indirect free kick.
55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Michael Higdon by Danny Wilson. Indirect free kick taken by Nicky Law. Fraser Mullen is brought on as a substitute for Dylan McGowan.
49

Booking for Henrik Ojamaa for unsporting behaviour.
47

Chris Humphrey takes a shot. Ryan Stevenson takes a shot. Save made by Darren Randolph. Save made by Jamie MacDonald.
46

Michael Ngoo produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that goes wide left of the target.
45

The offside flag is raised against Michael Higdon. Danny Wilson takes the free kick.
45

The referee gets the second half underway.

Arvydas Novikovas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Callum Tapping.
45

The referee blows for half time.

Danny Wilson takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a comfortable save.
42

Foul by Adam Cummins on John Sutton, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Mehdi Taouil.
42

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mehdi Taouil by Nicky Law. Danny Wilson takes the indirect free kick.
40

Callum Tapping fouled by Michael Higdon, the ref awards a free kick. Jamie MacDonald takes the indirect free kick.
39

Inswinging corner taken by Kevin McHattie, Headed effort from inside the area by Andy Webster misses to the left of the target.
37

Effort from outside the box by Callum Tapping goes wide right of the target.
37

Ryan Stevenson produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
36

James McFadden gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dylan McGowan. Andy Webster restarts play with the free kick.
35

Michael Ngoo takes a shot. Corner taken right-footed by Jamie Walker from the left by-line, save by Darren Randolph. Brilliant save by Darren Randolph. The assistant referee flags for offside against Henrik Ojamaa. Indirect free kick taken by Jamie MacDonald. Unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by John Sutton results in a free kick. Darren Randolph takes the free kick.
33

Jamie Walker fouled by Stevie Hammell, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is sent over by Kevin McHattie, John Sutton has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.
30

Ryan Stevenson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.
28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shaun Hutchinson on Michael Ngoo. Danny Wilson takes the free kick.
28

Jamie Walker takes a shot. Comfortable save by Darren Randolph.
26

Callum Tapping has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide left of the goal. Foul by Shaun Hutchinson on Michael Ngoo, free kick awarded. Danny Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
24

Foul by John Sutton on Shaun Hutchinson, free kick awarded. Tom Hateley restarts play with the free kick.
19

Foul by James McFadden on Jamie Walker, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Mehdi Taouil.
15

Shot from outside the penalty box by Mehdi Taouil goes wide right of the goal.
14

Shaun Hutchinson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Stevenson. Jamie Walker crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance made by Tom Hateley.
13

Corner taken by Jamie Walker, Nicky Law makes a clearance. Andy Webster concedes a free kick for a foul on Michael Higdon. Darren Randolph takes the indirect free kick. Unfair challenge on Shaun Hutchinson by Michael Ngoo results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Shaun Hutchinson.
11

Correction - Nicky Law takes a shot. Dylan McGowan puts the ball into his own net from 12 yards. Hearts 0-2 Motherwell.Assist on the goal came from Nicky Law.
7

A goal is scored by Nicky Law from inside the box low into the middle of the goal. Hearts 0-2 Motherwell.The assist for the goal came from Henrik Ojamaa.
7

Unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by John Sutton results in a free kick. Stevie Hammell takes the free kick.
7

Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Michael Ngoo goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
4

Michael Higdon finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Hearts 0-1 Motherwell.James McFadden provided the assist for the goal.
2

The game gets underway.

Taken from sportinglife.com