Motherwell 2-0 Hearts

Angry Levein injures hand Butcher defends penalty

Hearts conceded their first goals of the season as Kevin McBride and Phil O'Donnell gave Motherwell a deserved victory at Fir Park.

The visitors never looked like a side who would have gone top with a victory.

Steven Pressley was pulled up for grabbing O'Donnell's shirt inside the box and McBride drilled home the resulting penalty after 59 minutes.

Midfielder O'Donnell struck himself eight minutes later with a superb strike from 16 yards.

Motherwell winger Jim Paterson had failed a fitness test, allowing former Carlisle United striker Richie Foran his first start.

Well captain Scott Leitch's fine interception prevented Patrick Kisnorbo opening the scoring in the second minute following a Ramon Pereira touch.

A poor touch by David Clarkson when the home striker was clear on goal allowed goalkeeper Craig Gordon to clear.

Kevin McBride displayed excellent close control as he burst into the Hearts box and it took a muscular challenge from Kisnorbo, which the home fans deemed dubious, to deny the on-loan Celtic midfielder a shot at goal.

Well defender Stephen Craigan poked the ball into the side-netting from close range following a corner.

Hearts midfielder Phil Stamp limped off to be replaced by Michael Stewart four minutes from half-time.

The Scotland midfielder made an immediate impact, crossing to Kisnorbo, whose half volle grazed the outside of the left-hand post.

Hearts were under pressure and Pressley was pulled up inside the box for grappling with O'Donnell and McBride slotted home his second penalty of week after finding the net in the midweek CIS Cup victory over Morton.

O'Donnell struck soon after and only a fine save from Gordon from Clarkson prevented Well extending their lead.

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Motherwell: Marshall, Corrigan, Hammell, Kinniburgh, Craigan, O'Donnell, Scott McDonald, Leitch, McBride (Fagan 88), Foran (Fitzpatrick 77), Clarkson.
Subs Not Used: Burns, Partridge, Corr, Cowan, Wright.

Booked: Leitch.

Goals: McBride 59 pen, O'Donnell 67.

Hearts: Gordon, Neilson (McAllister 62), Maybury, Pressley, Webster, Kisnorbo, Stamp (Stewart 41), Hartley, Hamill, Weir (Wyness 62), Pereira.
Subs Not Used: MacFarlane, Moilanen, Janczyk, Berra.

Booked: Maybury, Webster, Pressley, Pereira.

Att: 7,095

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).