While Hearts continued to experiment with increasing numbers from Lithuania, Motherwell made only one change as Kaiser Corrigan filled the midfield role vacated by the crocked Lasley.
The score was 0-0 at this stage!
The home side kicked off and showed their determination to attack immediately. We were pinned back for long spells and hardly managed to get the ball across the halfway line. It was no surprise to see Meldrum picking the ball out of the net in ten minutes when McCann and Fyssas carved through the right side of our defence to shoot into the far corner.
Much against the flow we grabbed an equaliser when Clarkson's run to collect a long ball down the right enabled him to fire a low, first time cross into the six yard box where Foran managed to force the ball over the line.
There is no doubt that we were lucky to be able to take stock at half time with the game level. We were unable to hold the ball and apart from the goal hardly figured as an attacking force. What masterplan would be hatched in the dressing room?
Sadly, there was none. We lasted ten minutes before the first of three second half goals from Hearts. Paul Quinn had wretched luck – first he was book for a foul then his attempted clearance with his head flew past Meldrum into the net.
Two minutes later a long ball over the to was lobbed over the keeper by Velicka. The game was over as a contest and it looked like we would concede a few more before the end.
However, we survived for the loss of only one more. Aguiar crashed a free kick from over thirty yards and it gave Meldrum little chance.
Although we were outclassed the player's kept their heads up and battled away in the hope of making the score more respectable but Gordon was rarely troubled. The busier keeper was our mad and he had to make a couple of first class saves to prevent further damage.
At least Martyn Corrigan managed eighty minutes of first team action and he must now be considered fully fit for action. Darren Smith looked bright for the last ten minutes and his dribbling skills provided McDonald with a chance (off target).
The backroom staff will have to steady the ship for the visit of Dundee United next week.