Robbie Neilson hailed Hearts for flying high on their return from Europe with three goals made in Ayr.
The Jambos proved they’ve got the mettle to dig out results at home and abroad as they rattled the Steelmen to move into third with ex-Ayr duo Lawrence Shankland and Alan Forrest netting Three days on from being ruthless in Riga, Neilson’s side were lethal in Lanarkshire as they gave wasteful Well a lesson in finishing.
Hearts had lost their last four league visits to Fir Park but goals from Shankland, his sixth of the season, and a Forrest double after the break sealed victory. Brassed-off Well fans took aim at TV bosses at half time with a banner that read ‘6.15 kick off .. TV before fans .. F*** Premier Sports’ in reference to next month’s quarter-final. But it was their team’s finishing that was a turn-off with Paul McGinn the main culprit in a game where Steven Hammell’s side peppered Craig Gordon’s goal with 26 shots, hitting the woodwork three times but without bulging the net once.
In contrast Hearts beat Liam Kelly three times from 10 efforts. And Neilson said: “I was pleased. We spoke after the Riga game about getting yourself ready go again – and we did that. Looking at the bigger picture, we’re competing in European football, sitting second in our group – and we’re still third in the Premiership.
“So we’re still where we want to be, where we want to try to push from, while still competing in Europe. That’s really, really important heading into the international break.
“Three goals made at Ayr United. It was good to see the rapport between Shanks and Alan. The players really like them and they do great for us. I like their pathway of coming up from the Championship and doing well in the Premiership, then coming to us. It shows that’s a great pathway for players in Scotland.”
Orestis Kiomourtzoglou was handed a debut and the German Under-21 star kept things turning over in midfield with some perfectly-timed interceptions. Neilson added: “He did well. I was a bit concerned about throwing him in away from home, the game is played at 200 miles an hour. But I thought he handled it well.”
Well are a far slicker outfit since Hammell replaced Graham Alexander and were playing some neat stuff early on with Joe Efford and Blair Spittal going close in the opening stages. But they were undone by a slip after 17 minutes.
Ricki Lamie attempted to clear Stephen Kingsley's deep cross but could only nod down to the unmarked Shankland whose first effort was well saved by Liam Kelly only for the rebound to fall back at his feet.
Shankland wasn’t going to pass up a second bite of the cherry from eight yards as he bundled past the grounded keeper.
Hammell’s problems mounted on the half hour as Efford hobbled off and was replaced with Rolando Aarons. And he almost immediately set up a leveller when his lay-off was blazed over by McGinn.
Well were continuing to create the better chances but even the normally reliable Kevin van Veen had left his shooting boots at home. The Dutchman was presented with a glorious chance just six yards out but shanked his effort.
Well’s right wing must have suffered a curse ahead of kick-off as Aarons’ involvement lasted only 15 minutes with the Jamaican pulling up just short of half time and he had to be replaced by Stuart McKinstry.
It wasn’t the only thing jinxed – McGinn’s right foot also seemed to be under a hex with the right-back missing an absolute sitter minutes after the restart.
Spittal’s glanced header came back off the post and McGinn, two yards out, somehow managed to strike the rebound off the other upright.
It was an astonishing miss and to rub salt right into the wound, Hearts made the Steelmen pay with a second goal moments later.
Shankland was again involved as he used his strength to hold the a ball lofted into the box before his lay-off was perfect for Forrest to run on to and guide a sweet, left-footed effort past Kelly for his third goal of the season.
Robert Snodgrass made his entrance after 64 minutes to a chorus of boos from the home end. The jeers turned to cheers as returning hero Louis Moult was introduced two minutes later.
The Englishman had the ball in the net with almost his first touch when he buried van Veen’s cutback after Craig Gordon had produced a superb save to deny the Dutchman’s initial effort.
Unfortunately for Moult he was offside when he tucked home. Well were incensed when ref Nick Walsh waved away claims for hand ball in the box after Bevis Mugabi’s shot came off Stephen Kingsley.
But Gordon was in the type of form that means he’d probably have saved a spot-kick anyway and he was at full length to turn Matt Penney’s thunderbolt over the bar with six minutes remaining. The veteran appeared to pick up a niggle making the save which will be a concern for Steve Clarke ahead of the Nations League clash with Ukraine.
But even when the Scotland No.1 was beaten the woodwork came to his rescue as another Penney drive rattled back off the bar.
With Motherwell piling forward, Forrest put the icing on the cake for the Jambos in injury time when the winger tapped home Nat Atkinson’s cutback for his fourth goal of the season.
