Hearts fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Motherwell but remain well above the pack in third place.
It was a tough first half for the Jambos at Fir Park as buoyed by the classic 'new manager bounce' it was Motherwell who had the better of the play in the opening 45 with Robbie Neilson's team having to dig in defensively. Yet top forward Lawrence Shankland came the closest with a header that bounced off the post after half an hour before Stephen Kingsley clipped the crossbar on the stroke of half time.
Things went from bad to worse when Jonathan Obika nicked in at the back post to open the scoring before Blair Spittal's header cannoned off the post and the attacker followed up on the rebound to stun the Jambos who huffed and puffed as the game went on but could not break open the Steelmen.
