Hearts battle to draw at Motherwell

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28 Nov 2015

By Brian McLauchlin BSports Scotland at Fir Park

Hearts closed the gap at the top of the Premiership on Celtic to five points after a battling 2-2 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park.

Louis Moult and Marvin Johnson twice had the home side in front, with goals in either half in inclement conditions.

They were clawed back, though, by equalisers from Juanma and Osman Sow.

The thrilling draw ensures Motherwell move seven points clear of bottom-placed Dundee United, who lost away to Hamilton Academical on Saturday .

It was a stunning start by the home side who took the lead after just 90 seconds.

Hearts captain Blazej Augustyn was short with a back-pass and Moult was denied by goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

From the clearance though the ball was crossed back into the box, and the Motherwell striker got the better of the keeper who spilled the ball under pressure for Moult to tap into the empty net.

Despite furious protests from Alexander and his defenders referee Steven Mclean allowed the goal to stand, showing Alexander a yellow card.

This stung the visitors into action and they equalised barely two minutes later.

Good quick feet by Osman Sow allowed him time to slip the ball through to Hearts' top scorer Juanma who clipped the ball over the advancing Connor Ripley.

Osman Sow then had a glorious chance to put Hearts in front, seizing upon a short back-pass by Kieran Kennedy but firing his effort straight at Ripley.

Despite the poor weather the game was swinging from end to end as both teams fought tenaciously to take the lead.

Osman Sow's fantastic strike levelled for Hearts in the second half

A Stephen Pearson effort from 12 yards was blocked by Augustyn while Igor Rossi and Callum Paterson both came close with headers for the Tynecastle side.

Before the break there was a huge let-off for Hearts when Johnson used his electric pace to set up Moult just a yard out.

His effort was saved by Alexander and the ball crept along the line before the danger was cleared.

Into the second half and Scott McDonald twice came close to putting Motherwell in front before the hosts eventually regained control.

Johnson collected a loose ball just inside the Hearts half and drove straight towards goal.

Rossi and Jordan McGhee both attempted to block his path to goal but the winger twisted and turned before rifling home from 12 yards.

The lead though, once again, was short-lived as the visitors drew level for a second time.

Sow collected a loose ball 30 yards out and decided to have a pop at goal, powering a spectacular, dipping effort over the outstretched arms of Ripley.

Blustery winds and at times heavy rain meant that silky soccer was not on the menu but both teams continued to stride forward looking for a winner.

Hearts substitute Prince Buaben had an effort blocked and from the rebound Sam Nicholson fired over the bar from 10 yards.

Moult and Lionel Ainsworth also tried to break down Hearts defence late on without success leaving both teams with a point apiece.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (4)

Motherwell

01 Ripley
18 Law
16 Kennedy
06 McManus
03 Hammell Booked
04 Grimshaw Booked
14 Lasley
08 Pearson Booked
11 Johnson (Ainsworth - 68' )
77 McDonald (Robinson - 85' )
20 Moult

Substitutes

05 Laing
07 Ainsworth
12 Samson
17 Robinson
19 Clarkson
23 Thomas
25 Taylor

Heart of Midlothian

01 Alexander Booked
02 Paterson
04 Augustyn
18 Rossi
17 Oshaniwa (McGhee - 51' )
16 Sutchuin-Djoum
14 Pallardo Gonzalez Booked
19 Delgado Lloria
23 Swanson (Buaben Abankwah - 68' )
11 Nicholson
10 Sow

Substitutes

06 Gomis
08 Buaben Abankwah
13 Hamilton
20 Reilly
22 McGhee
27 Buchanan
44 Zanatta

Ref: Steven McLean

Att: 5,141

Match Stats

Possession 54 46

Shots

8 12

On target

6 5

Corners

2 5

Fouls

15 14

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Motherwell 2, Heart of Midlothian 2.

90:00 +1:54 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Motherwell 2, Heart of Midlothian 2.

90:00 +0:42

Foul by Stephen Pearson (Motherwell).

90:00 +0:42

Osman Sow (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +0:11 Booking

Booking Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card.