Late Calvin Miller strike gives Hearts rare away win at Motherwell
Claudio Braga's header and Miller's 86th-minute drive secured Hearts' first Premiership win outside Edinburgh since January, while Motherwell's losing run continues.
Fir Park, Motherwell. File photo. · Photograph: Colin Smith (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hearts claimed their first Scottish Premiership win outside Edinburgh since January as Calvin Miller's late goal sealed a 2-0 victory over Motherwell at a windswept Fir Park.
The game was played in blustery conditions as Storm Boelo swept across the country.
Braga breaks the deadlock
Portuguese striker Claudio Braga gave Hearts the lead in the first half with a brilliant flicked header past Motherwell goalkeeper Alex Paulsen. It was his fourth league goal of the season, more than any other Hearts player, although he has not yet reached the heights of last season.
Motherwell pushed hard for an equaliser as the second half went on, but Hearts held firm. Substitute Miller then made sure of the points with a drive from distance in the 86th minute.
Relief for Vrancken
The result was only Hearts' second win in seven games, and a welcome boost for head coach Wouter Vrancken, who is dealing with a long injury list and a packed fixture schedule. It strengthens Hearts' hold on third place in the table.
It also helps Hearts recover from a difficult week that included a 7-1 league defeat at Celtic and a 2-0 Conference League loss to Trabzonspor.
Hearts face Hibs in the Edinburgh derby League Cup semi-final at Hampden next Sunday.
Motherwell's slump
For Motherwell, the defeat extends their worst losing run in more than two decades, piling further pressure on the club.