Hearts edged past Motherwell in the Premiership after a dominant display ended them with hanging on at the death.
Despite recent results, the Jambos started with a swagger that betrayed that and it only took them seven minutes to find the lead.
Visiting goalkeeper Aston Oxborough made a hash of dealing with a high ball and Musa Drammeh was on hand to turn it in. The goal was initially disallowed for a foul but the replays showed it was one of his own players paying him the closest attention and the decision was overturned.
The way things have been going for the Jambos, especially last time out at Ross County, they can never be comfortable at just one goal ahead and they missed chances to go further ahead.
Liam Boyce was the guiltiest party in the second half, sliding a James Penrice cross wide, having been unlucky moments earlier after a sublime Jorge Grant strike ricocheted off the back and then back off his teammate.
The Steelmen pushed and pushed towards the end as their hosts retreated further and further back and Craig Gordon had to be alert to save from Moses Ebiye in stoppage time.
That was the first proper save he had to make but seconds later he was at it again from Jack Vale and Hearts held on by the skin of their teeth.
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Bad day at the office for Motherwell
Motherwell have had a good season and some brilliant results recently but they were off it for most of today’s game.
The defending was poor for the goal but that was far from the only time.
Stuart Kettlewell was furious throughout the first half and made a triple change at half-time, but that didn’t really seem to help either.
It was only during the last 15 minutes or so that Well grew into the game and started to put pressure on, not forcing Gordon into action until stoppage time.
Confident Hearts
To be the fair to the Hearts players, they didn’t look affected by how things ended in their last game.
It was a confident start as they looked to take control and the early goal certainly helped.
Positives for sure but concerns remain, mainly the inability to make their superiority count and go further ahead.
They were left to hang on towards the end but managed it this time and it was an assured display for the most part.
They will certainly need to be more clinical though and will hope the signing of Elton Kabangu helps with that.
Two sides to Liam Boyce
Not many Hearts fans would have received the news Liam Boyce was starting against Ross County well. His performance was such that they were calling for him to keep his place.
He did and turned in a decent display again.
Boyce worked hard and was once again a foil for James Wilson, the Northern Irishman dropping in as the younger forward plays on the shoulder.
The veteran had plenty of nice touches and passes too. But there was the heavy caveat of a number of missed chances.
That can improve the more games he plays though.