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Watch extended highlights from Tynecastle as Motherwell dramatic late goal earns ‘Well a point.

Stephen Robinson felt Motherwell’s late point gained away to Hearts was “thoroughly deserved”.

A tightly fought encounter in the capital went to the death with the hosts looking to have claimed all three points.

But Curtis Main stooped with the very last action of the game to send the team back home with the draw.

[pullquote]I think we thoroughly deserved the point and if anything I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t get all three.[/pullquote]

“If you look at the chances we had here at Tynecastle, we go through one-on-one through Craig Tanner and it was probably a penalt,” Robinson said, “Curtis Main goes through one-on-one too and Deimatas misses a header.

“We’ve played three strikers at home and it’s gone well for us but we changed it a bit today.

“Craig’s had a niggling knee injury and that would’ve been his third start in a week. We knew that he might not get the full game, but he came on and changed things.”

Motherwell battled their way to a deserved point away to Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday, with Curtis Main nabbing an equaliser at the death.

The goalscorer spoke after the match along with Tom Aldred and Chris Cadden.

Curtis Main: “To equalise so late in the game obviously is a great feeling. Sometimes it feels like a win.

“The ball was bouncing everywhere. I hoped it would come to the back stick and it did, so I managed to get something on it. The keeper parried it but he’s put it in to the net with him.

Chris Cadden: “It’s deserved. I thought their goal slightly against the run of play.

“That’s what we are all about. We try to be as fitter than everybody else. The desire the boys showed to get the last-minute equaliser and the scenes with the fans were brilliant.

Tom Aldred: “We’ve kept going and got ourselves a last-minute equaliser.

“To come to a place like this today and get a point is a really good result. We go to Hibs on Wednesday and will go for the three points.”

Grant Russell at Tynecastle Park

Motherwell demonstrated their never-say-die attitude as they earned a deserved point at the death away to Hearts.

The hosts had been on an eight-game run without conceding a goal and looked like they had kept it going until Curtis Main scrambled the ball over the line with the last action of the match.

Manager Stephen Robinson made one change to the side that defeated Ross County in midweek. Richard Tait returning from suspension, replacing Craig Tanner in a rejigged lineup.

Hearts could have had the lead after just 10 minutes but for the heroics of Trevor Carson. A low cross from Ross Callachan into the box took a deflection at the front post but the Northern Irishman’s reflexes saw him leap to turn away a certain goal.

In windy conditions, Hearts continued to apply pressure. McDonald was next to try his luck, beating Tait down the right before his attempt at a placed finish on his left foot sailed over.

Carson was then called upon to make a big double save. Naismith’s shot from distance was well blocked and then the resulting rebound from Callachan was also well beaten away by the ‘keeper.

With 28 minutes gone, the visitors had the ball in the net. Cadden’s free kick eventually found its way to Campbell to swing into the box.

Aldred met the delivery on the bounce. His shot towards goal was into the path of Main who, with his back to to goal, flicked it into the net from close range. But he was ruled offside by the linesman.

Every home fan was then on their feet protesting for a penalty as the clock hit the half hour mark.

Tom Aldred made a late diving challenge to stop the advances of a Hearts forward but, to the disagreement of the Tynecastle support, was ruled to have got his foot on the ball.

Five minutes from the break, the Steelmen were inches away from taking the lead.

Kipre’s surge down the right led to a pass to Ciftci. The forward held the ball up well before swinging a cross towards the penalty spot.

On the end of it was Main who, under pressure, beat his man to the ball with the header. But his bouncing effort found its way just wide of the right hand post at the Gorgie end.

Right on the stroke of half time, Hearts were denied by the width of the post.

Mitchell’s surge inside on the right led to a low, curling effort to the back post that had Carson beaten, but it clipped the sticks and bounced out wide.

The second half started at frantic pace, with both sides eager to get a foothold in the game.

The first big chance fell to Mitchell for the hosts. Cutting inside against from the left, his dipping shot towards the far right corner was inches over the crossbar.

Straight up the other end, Motherwell had a similarly big chance. Main was played in down the right by Campbell, with his cross into the box just too high for substitute Tanner to turn goalwards.

Straight away, Tanner found himself in again behind the defence. His surging run momentarily had him one on one with McLaughlin, before he was caught up and seemingly bundled over in the box. Referee Collum waved away the shouts for a penalty.

Motherwell found themselves pinned and restricted to chances on the counter as the hosts continued to press and press, only to consistently be resisted by a resolute visiting defence.

The chance to grab a goal on the counter almost came with 15 minutes to play. Campbell held the ball well as he surged forward down the inside left channel.

Main got the better of the defender as the ball was played into the box and steered a shot past the onrushing McLaughlin, but it failed to make it the full distance to the line before it was cleared away.

Motherwell’s resistance was finally broken with 10 minutes to play. A free kick into the box caused havoc, with the ball eventually bouncing out to the onrushing Milinkovic, who steered the ball into the bottom left corner.

Five minutes were added on as Robinson’s men battled to give the 562 travelling fans something to go home with and it looked like they had been given it deep into injury time.

Tanner’s free kick from the left into a packed box found the head of substitute Petravicius but his effort bounced wide of the right post.

Remarkably, they did it with just seconds left on the clock to end Hearts’ long run without conceding.

Tanner’s delivery deep from 40 yards was headed back across the goal by Rose. After that, a stramash ensued before the ball was eventually prodded over the line by Main.

Motherwell face their third game in the space of a week with a trip to Tynecastle Park to take on Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And following back-to-back 2-0 victories over Hamilton and Ross County respectively, the Steelmen head in to Saturday’s clash having kept consecutive clean sheets.

The same can be said for Hearts, who are the only other side in the top flight who are yet to concede in 2018.

That run goes back a lot further though, with Craig Levein’s side keeping eight consecutive clean sheets in an unbeaten run stretching back to the second of December  – a total of 11 games.

With two resolute outfits going head-to-head in Edinburgh on Saturday, it makes for an interesting encounter.

And manager Stephen Robinson believes the key to unlocking the side from the capital lies in being creative in the final third.

Speaking to the press on Friday, Robinson looked ahead to a second trip to Tynecastle in the space of two months.

“We have to make sure that we’re creative but also solid like we were on Wednesday night,” he said.

“We haven’t conceded a goal either in 2018 so we must accentuate the positives.

[pullquote]It was a tight match the last time we played each other and the game was won from a mistake.”[/pullquote]

“They’ve gone 11 games undefeated and not conceded many goals in that period of time.

“We have to make sure we produce the same solid performance but with a bit more quality up the top end of the pitch.”

Curtis Main got off the mark in claret and amber whilst fellow new signing Nadir Çiftçi laid on the assist.

But it was another impressive showing defensively from the ‘Well, and new signing Tom Aldred slotted in to the back-line in style on an evening when the hosts kept Ross County comfortably at bay.

And manager Stephen Robinson believes the key to unlocking the side from the capital lies in being creative in the final third.

Speaking to the press on Friday, Robinson looked ahead to a second trip to Tynecastle in the space of two months.

“We have to make sure that we’re creative but also solid like we were on Wednesday night,” he said.

“We haven’t conceded a goal either in 2018 so we must accentuate the positives.

[pullquote]It was a tight match the last time we played each other and the game was won from a mistake.”[/pullquote]

“They’ve gone 11 games undefeated and not conceded many goals in that period of time.

“We have to make sure we produce the same solid performance but with a bit more quality up the top end of the pitch.”

Curtis Main got off the mark in claret and amber whilst fellow new signing Nadir Çiftçi laid on the assist.

But it was another impressive showing defensively from the ‘Well, and new signing Tom Aldred slotted in to the back-line in style on an evening when the hosts kept Ross County comfortably at bay.

	Hearts v Motherwell
	Saturday 27th January 2018
	3.00pm
	Tynecastle Park
	Tickets on sale at the gates at Tynecastle Park

Admission prices are as follows:

• Cheaper price is for the lower section of the stand
• Students must provide a valid matriculation card.

If you can’t make it along, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

Alex Fisher has left Motherwell Football Club to join Yeovil Town on a permanent deal.

The English striker, who joined in the summer from Inverness CT, will go straight into the League Two side’s squad for the FA Cup tie with Manchester United on tonight.

Fisher made 19 appearances for the Steelmen and was part of the squad who made it to this season’s Betfred Cup final. However, he has found regular football difficult to come by.

“I just want to say thanks to everyone at Motherwell for making me feel so welcome,” the 27-year-old said of his departure.

[pullquote]”Although I only spent a short time with you all, it was a memorable time to be involved with the club.[/pullquote]

“I leave with a heavy heart but also relishing the opportunity to play in England again, and potentially make my debut against Manchester United.

“Thanks to everyone involved with Motherwell. I wish you all the very best for the future.”

Manager Stephen Robinson said of the player’s departure: “We wish Alex all the best at Yeovil.

“He was someone we signed based on his performances in the Scottish Premiership last season, but unfortunately it hasn’t happened for him here due to the form of others.

“That can happen sometimes in football. Sometimes things don’t just work for boys at certain clubs.

“This move will give Alex the chance of a fresh start. Around this club, he has been the model professional and his attitude is first class.

“We wish him well for the future. We will now look to replace him before the window closes.”

Tom Aldred is eyeing more clean sheets in claret and amber, after settling in comfortably in Lanarkshire following his January loan switch from Bury.

The defender, who has featured in the club’s back-to-back shut outs against Hamilton and Ross County, says it is just the start, but hopes to follow up on two consecutive wins on Saturday.

[pullquote]To keep two in the first two games is obviously a good start, but it’s only the start, so it’s something to build on and go on from there.[/pullquote]

“First and foremost, there’s a great set of lads and from the two games I’ve played here it seems like we’ve got a good team and it’s definitely one that we can go on to achieve something with this season.

“As a defender you pride yourself on keeping the ball out of the back of the net and keeping clean sheets.”

Stephen Robinson insists his side will need to find the creative edge to overcome Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday.

The Edinburgh side have kept eight consecutive clean sheets but face a ‘Well side who are brimming with confidence following two confident victories.

“We have to make sure that we’re creative but also solid like we were on Wednesday night,” he said.

“We haven’t conceded a goal either in 2018 so we must accentuate the positives.

[pullquote]It was a tight match the last time we played each other and the game was won from a mistake.”[/pullquote]

“They’ve gone 11 games undefeated and not conceded many goals in that period of time.

“We have to make sure we produce the same solid performance but with a bit more quality up the top end of the pitch.”

Referee for Saturday’s league clash with Hearts at Tynecastle Park is the experienced Willie Collum.

One of Europe’s most recognisable officials, Willie will be handling his second ‘Well fixture of the campaign, after taking charge of the Steelmen’s 1-1 draw with Celtic at Fir Park.

On that evening, a late penalty snatched all three points away from the Steelmen against Brendan Rodgers’ then-unbeaten side.

Last season, Collum oversaw four ‘Well fixtures, including two 4-2 wins. The first was an historic win over Accies at Fir Park when Louis Moult bagged all four goals, and the second was a ‘Well win by the same deficit against Inverness CT.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads 11 wins, 19 defeats and nine draws from 39 matches in all competitions. In those games, Motherwell have scored 56 and conceded 70.

Eighty-eight players have gone into the book, 41 wearing claret and amber, while eight players have been dismissed.

Willie will be assisted by Alastair Mather and Brian Templeton. The fourth official is Gavin Ross.

Motherwell are back in action in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday as they head to Tynecastle to take on Hearts. 

Stephen Robinson’s men face their third game in a week, following consecutive 2-0 victories over Hamilton Academical and Ross County respectively.

Thousands of fans braved the midweek cold to cheer on the Steelmen and we’d love to see you turn out in your numbers again for our trip to the capital.

Adult tickets start at £19 and student prices start at just £14.

Tickets are available in advance from the ticket office at Fir Park, or available over the phone. Call 01698 333333, and select option 2.

Please note, tickets will not be available on the gate.

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	Hearts v Motherwell
	Saturday 27th January 2018
	3.00pm
	Tynecastle Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or by telephone.

Admission prices are as follows:

Please note, tickets must be purchased in advance and won’t be available on the gate.

The cheaper priced tickets are for the lower section of the stand. Students purchasing a match ticket must provide a valid matriculation card.

Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07428 225254 or tickets@mfcdsa.com. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.