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Watch the highlights as Jake Hastie and David Turnbull strike to make it six league wins from six, beating Hearts 2-1.

David Turnbull, Tom Aldred and Curtis Main speak as Motherwell make it six league wins from six in defeating Hearts.

A delighted Stephen Robinson says a close affair was decided by his team’s confidence to keep pushing.

Motherwell made it six league wins from six in dramatic, late fashion as they defeated Hearts 2-1.

Not surprisingly on the back of five successive wins, Stephen Robinson named an unchanged start for the fifth consecutive game.

Hearts aiming for their fourth win over ‘Well this season started the more forceful and inside the opening 10 minutes the towering Uche Ikpeazu had a couple of efforts driven wide of Mark Gillespie’s goal.

Then, in their first attack the Fir Park snatched the opening goal.

There seemed little danger when Liam Grimshaw swept the ball out to Jake Hastie. But full of confidence the teenager dragged the ball towards the box, stepped inside Scotland defender Christophe Berra before rifling a stunning left foot finish high into the net beyond Coin Doyle’s reach.

It was almost identical to Hastie’s opener against St Mirren and similarly boosted the home side who then put the Tynecastle defence under a bit more pressure.

Curtis Main powered through the middle of visitor’s back three only to drive his left foot shot a couple of feet wide of goal. A David Turnbull corner then caused some panic in a packed penalty box before Berra hoofed the ball clear.

The powerful Ikpeazu was proving a real handful and tightly marked Tom Aldred the Hearts’ striker went down appealing for a penalty.

The goal mouth action, though, was at the other end. Alan Campbell wriggled away from a couple of Hearts players before sliding a pass in front of Hastie but although his drive was powerful it was straight at Doyle.

After 31 minutes, Gillespie made his first save diving low to his left to push Oliver Bozanic’s low 20 yard drive round his post.

Five minutes later the “Well ‘keeper was beaten as the visitors equalised. Eight yards in front of goal Steven Naismith completely mishit his first attempt.

However, there was no luck about the Scotland striker’s second touch, reacting quickly to delicately lift the bouncing ball over Gillespie at full stretch and under the ‘keeper’s crossbar to make it 1-1.

Two minutes from the end of a highly competitive first half Gboly Ariyibi set off on a mazy 50 yards run which carried him past three opponents before, from the byline, he fired the ball into the side netting.

It was the on loan Nottingham Forrest winger who was first to make an impression after the restart. Collecting the ball 40 yards from goal Ariyibi held off Conor Shaughnessy as he dribbled the ball into the box before his low shot forced a fine block from Doyle.

The Tynecastle stopper was forced into another fine save in the 57th minute. Charles Dunne played a long diagonal ball intended for Hastie, who had to steal the ball off Jake Mulraney before firing in a low shot which Doyle pushed beyond his post.

Doyle denied ‘Well for the third time 62nd minute. This time Hastie was the provider releasing his fellow teenager Turnbull whose 20 yard drive was sailing under the bar until the Hearts ‘keeper leapt to palm the ball over.

From Turnbull’s corner Main’s downward header was beyond the ‘keeper but Marcus Godinho was on the goal line to boot the ball clear.

In an open game the Edinburgh side were still chasing a winner and twice Aldred’s timely interventions cleared any danger.

In an attempt to stem the flow towards the home goal Carl McHugh replaced Ariyibi after 68 minutes. But his first action was in attack gliding Turnbull’s corner just over the crossbar.

In a rare threat on the home goal, Bozanic’s free kick found its way to Ikpeazu and although his effort was tame the ball was sneaking inside the post until Gillespie reacted smartly to push the ball away from goal.

The action was largely around Doyle’s goal and Hastie’s clever pass picked out Turnbull but he was forced wide at the angle of the six yard box before he could test the ‘keeper.

In a last attempt to grab a deserved winner and make it six consecutive wins James Scott replaced Main but it didn’t look like coming as the game moved into added on time.

However, when Ben Garuccio was sent off for a challenge on Grimshaw 25 yards from goal it provided ‘Well with one final opportunity to score.

Although Turnbull’s curling free kick was on target, Doyle had it covered until the ball squirmed out of ‘keeper’s arms and over the line for a fortunate but thoroughly deserved winner.

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson says achieving six league wins in a row is possible, but a tough opponent lies in wait in Hearts on Sunday.

Hearts make their second trip of the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season to Fir Park on Sunday.

Here’s a look at our opponents in greater detail.

Back in form

Losses to Livingston and Aberdeen in December proved a turning point for Craig Levein’s side, as they went on to pick up six victories from their next eight games.

Wins over Hamilton, Hibernian, St Johnstone, Auchinleck Talbot and Livingston, as well as a draw with Livi and a loss to Dundee, have followed since.

Returning strike power

The return of Uche Ikepazu to action in Hearts’ last two games comes at an ominous time.

The man mountain started the season in great form, before succumbing to injury at Fir Park and spending an extended period on the sidelines.

Getting back into contention

Hearts were flying high at the top earlier in the season, before injuries to key players took their toll and saw them slip.

Despite that, they’ve never been too out of touch with the leading pack. Celtic may be 14 points ahead in top spot, but Aberdeen and Kilmarnock are only three points ahead in third and fourth respectively, and Rangers sit eight points ahead in second.

Motherwell host Hearts on Sunday, as they look to make it six Ladbrokes Premiership wins from six.

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Fir Park. Kick off is at 12.15pm GMT.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

Motherwell host Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Sunday.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Head to head

Hearts have won all three encounters between the two teams in the 2018/19 season, picking up two victories at Tynecastle in the league and Betfred Cup, and one in the league at Fir Park.

Motherwell’s last victory against Craig Levein’s side came in the last encounter in the 2017/18 campaign, with Carl McHugh netting a memorable winning goal in the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final win.

Team news

Tom Aldred and Ross McCormack are injury doubts. Chris Cadden, Craig Tanner and Trevor Carson remain out.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Kick off is at 12.15pm.

If you buy online, you can print at home and go straight to the gate, or even show us your ticket code on your mobile phone.

The cheaper price is for our John Hunter Stand, which runs along the sideline directly across from our Phil O’Donnell Main Stand.

A family ticket for one adult and two children aged 15 and under is available for £28, or £24 in the John Hunter Stand.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Away supporters should contact their club directly for ticket sales. Hearts fans will be situated in our South Stand.

Watch a live stream of the match

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Fir Park. Kick off is at 12.15pm GMT.

To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.

Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.

Pre-match

Our Cooper Bar is open from 11am for pre-match food and drink, and don’t miss our £5 beer and a burger offer.

Away fans are welcome to join us. The bar is also open post match.

Get a 50/50 ticket

Our 50/50 draw allows you to win prizes during home games at Fir Park.

Tickets cost £1 and can be purchased from vendors around the stadium.

You can buy from:

• Laura in our hospitality areas and from the front of the Cooper Stand from an hour before the game.
• Valerie in the John Hunter Stand from an hour before the game.
• Vivienne in the Cooper Bar before the game and then in front of the Cooper Stand/John Hunter Stand from an hour before kick off.
• Wendy and Marie in the ticket office.

Carl McHugh says there’s now even greater incentive to try and topple Hearts on Sunday.

With the team in touching distance of contending for a top six finish after five straight Ladbrokes Premiership wins, the midfielder says confidence continues to grow in the squad.

Hearts take on Motherwell for the fourth time this season on Sunday, paying visit to Fir Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Five

The Steelmen have won five of their last 10 matches against the Gorgie side at Fir Park, drawing two and losing three.

Hearts were victorious on their last visit, with Steven Naismith netting in a 1-0 win.

Prior to that, Steven Robinson’s men won two on the bounce 2-1, including the memorable William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final win.

Six

Motherwell, of course, are chasing their sixth successive Ladbrokes Premiership victory. If they achieve it, it will be the first time its happened since 2014.

The last time it happened, Hearts were the team that sat as the sixth team in the run, with a 1-0 victory at Tynecastle hitting the mark for Stuart McCall’s side.

121

Both sets of fans have been treated to, or had to endure, a combined 121 goals across the Ladbrokes Premiership season so far.

Hearts have seen 60, scoring 31 and conceding 29 along the way. Motherwell, meanwhile, have netted 27 and conceded 34.