Musa Drammeh’s early goal proved decisive as Hearts picked up a much-needed 1-0 victory at home to Motherwell to improve their predicament in the lower echelons of the William Hill Premiership.
On a day when a planned pre-match supporter protest against the club’s board failed to materialise, Neil Critchley’s side produced a largely impressive and controlled display but were unable to get the second goal that would have made the closing stages more comfortable.
After failing to win any of their opening eight league matches this term, the Jambos have now won three of their last six and – despite some notable recent setbacks – are within seven points of both Motherwell and St Mirren in the top six.
Hearts made two changes to the side that started Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Ross County as Craig Halkett and Cammy Devlin came in for Daniel Oyegoke and Beni Baningime. Captain Lawrence Shankland missed out again through injury, while new signing Elton Kabangu’s work permit had not been signed off in time to be involved.
Well trio Stephen O’Donnell, Tom Sparrow and Tony Watt replaced Lennon Miller, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Marvin Kaleta.
Hearts threatened in the first minute when Liam Boyce nodded over the bar from a James Penrice cross and they threatened again when Blair Spittal saw a powerful shot from the edge of the box diverted behind by the head of Dan Casey.
The hosts made the breakthrough in the seventh minute when Drammeh shot home from the edge of the six-yard box after Shane Blaney headed Spittal’s corner up in the air and Aston Oxborough failed to catch it as it dropped back down. It was initially disallowed for a foul on the Motherwell keeper but allowed to stand after a VAR check.
With Motherwell struggling to get a foothold, Hearts dominated the remainder of the half but were unable to carve out the clear chance that would have allowed them to increase their advantage.
Well boss Stuart Kettlewell – who had cut an exasperated figure throughout the first half – made three changes for the start of the second half as Davor Zdravkovski, Sam Nicholson and Ebiye Moses replaced Shane Blaney, Harry Paton and Sparrow
Hearts continued to look the likelier side, however, and defender Kye Rowles was unable to force home from close range after the visitors failed to deal with a corner before Jorge Grant curled a brilliant effort off the crossbar from just outside the box.
The home side went close again in the 55th minute when Penrice burst clear down the left and fizzed over a low cross for Boyce, who slid in and knocked his close-range effort wide at the near post.
The visitors’ first attempt of the match came in the 65th minute when Casey header over from Halliday corner.
Well offered little until stoppage time when Craig Gordon had to pull off two big saves to deny Moses and Jack Vale.
