An unchanged eleven kicked off facing over 1,000 away fans in the south stand and within minutes we might have scored the opener. Murphy delivered a cross from the right and Ojamaa then Law had good efforts blocked. That set the tone for the first fifteen minutes as Motherwell's urgency and passing gave them the upper hand. Lasley entered the book following a rash challenge
Hearts rarely threatened and half an hour had passed before Randolph faced a testing shot. It came from McGowan following an impressive overlap (skinning birthday boy Hammell in his wake) but his shot across the 'keeper narrowly missed the far post.
We had to wait until 37 minutes before the deadlock was broken. Following a corner at the East Stand side the ball was half cleared to Lasley who was luring on the right side of the box. He unleashed a trademark rocket and it deflected off Webster into the net.
We claimed the second before the break when Lasley delivered a lob to Murphy. His header looped high and hit the underside of the bar before crossing the line. Half time arrived and all seemed good in the 'Well dressing room.
A defensive slip within a minute of the restart gave Ojamaa and Law golden chances but MacDonald held his line. Five minutes into the second period saw referee Alan Muir flash a second yellow at Lasley for a simple foul. He left the park and his team mates planned for a forty minute spell with ten men. Ojamaa was posted to the left wing and proceeded to torment the Hearts defence.
It soon became apparent that the extra drive and effort needed was available in spades. Murphy raced wide into the box on the chase and drew the 'keeper. The ball broke for Law and his 25 yard floater landed on the roof of the net. Law followed that up with a powerful shot that cracked the junction of bar and post.
The hour had just passed when Ojamaa collected the ball on his left wing beat. The defence, as had been their tactic all game, swarmed on him to snuff out the danger but to no effect. With the ball seemingly tied to his laces he squirmed through three then another three before releasing the ball to Murphy then Law wide on the right. Law's accurate drive beat MacDonald at his near post to complete our scoring for the afternoon.
It was a breathtaking move that gave the big home crowd plenty to celebrate. We had won the 'six pointer' and with the help of the result from Ibrox we have moved three points closer to second place.
After the match McCall paid tribute to the "great commitment, desire and good football" that the players produced. And so say all of us!