Hearts fans' show of defiance tested to limit on dramatic night in Motherwell

Whether this is a good or bad point will become clearer around 2pm on Sunday. Whatever happens in the Old Firm match, Hearts will remain on top going into their midweek clash with Falkirk. They are now four points clear of second placed Celtic, who have that game in hand against Rangers.

Inspirational defender Craig Halkett will not feature in any of them after he was carried off in the second half having pulled up with an Achilles injury.

The same fate befell Marc Leonard, who was helped off just before half time after tumbling following a challenge from behind. He was later spotted on crutches. Hearts’ resources are being tested though they had a notably strong bench here. Cammy Devlin made a welcome return with eight minutes left as Hearts sought to give the massed bank of fans they were playing towards a priceless winner.

It didn’t come although no one will convince these away supporters that Tawanda Maswanhise was innocent of a trip on substitute Alexandros Kyziridis on 66 minutes. Referee Steven McLean deemed otherwise after a VAR check.

Rangers joined Celtic in being given some succour from this result. Lawrence Shankland made amends for an earlier miss to cancel out Stephen Kingsley’s earlier own goal. But Hearts’ failure to source a winner means the Ibrox side remain in admittedly still very slim title contention. “We shall not be moved!” the away fans sang at the end in a show of defiance that will be noted in Glasgow.

High on the list of Hearts’ priorities in Operation Title Win was avoiding losing the opening goal. Securing championships is difficult enough without giving the opposition a goal start, something Hearts had done in four previous outings – including against Motherwell in a pre-top six fixture.

The latest gift – and it really was a gift - happened under the noses of the 4,500 Hearts fans who packed the away end.

Kingsley got himself in a tangle while trying to clear a ball across the face of the goal from Emmanuel Longelo. Although Ibrahim Said was applying a degree of pressure, he seemed as startled as anyone when the ball ended up nestling in the back of the Hearts goal as keeper Alexander Schwolow and Kingsley attempted to deal with the danger.

Shankland rides to Hearts’ rescue again

Count the away fans at that end among those who might not have been surprised by this development. Concerned, yes. Just not surprised. For a spell it was red cards threatening to disrupt Hearts’ ambitions. Now it’s losing the first goal. For the fifth time in a row.

One thing we’ve learned this season, if we didn’t know already, is never doubt their resilience – and never doubt Lawrence Shankland.

The Hearts striker was uncharacteristically slow to put his foot through a chance just five minutes in after Jordi Altena, who was playing right of midfield rather than right wing back as expected, sent in an angled shot that Calum Ward parried into the danger area.

Shankland was on hand and everyone expected the net to bulge. Cue Stephen O’Donnell appearing seemingly out of nowhere to make a remarkable block. Of course, the plaudits should all go the defender.

But even Derek McInnes suspected his skipper might be brooding about this failure to take the chance and appeared on the touchline attempting to gee the player up. If Shankland was affected, it didn’t take long to for him to give himself a shake. He was again in the right place at the right time three minutes before the interval. It was another case of waiting for some scraps as Ward pushed Michael Steinwender’s angled shot back out into the six-yard box.

Shankland paid little mind to his previous miss as he took a touch with his thigh before lashing into the net. VAR briefly threatened to spoil Hearts’ fun as it checked whether Shankland had pushed on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh when the ball had come across from Kingsley prior to Steinwender’s shot.

Schwolow ensured the visitors did not fall behind in the opening minute after Callum Slattery flung himself in front of Beni Baningime to get to a cross. Motherwell had their own motivation, which was reflected in the packed home stands.

They are conscious of Hibs over their shoulder in the race for fourth place. Acclaim alone won’t secure this position for Jens Berthel Askou’s impressive team. Forget what the league table says, this really did feel like we were watching the best two sides in Scotland, Motherwell very much included.