Hearts 1 Motherwell 0
Peter Haring's first-half header was enough to give Hearts a 1-0 Ladbrokes Premiership victory over Motherwell and end the Tynecastle side's seven-game winless run.
The Austrian found the net in the 14th minute in a game that started brightly but descended into a scrappy battle.
Motherwell came within inches of taking the lead inside 10 seconds through Danny Johnson but struggled to find gaps in a solid Hearts rearguard following that.
The hosts remain in fourth in the table, three points adrift of leaders Celtic, while Motherwell are now eight points behind eighth-placed Hibs.
Both teams set an lively tempo during an exciting start that saw the visitors come within inches of taking the lead within seconds.
Christophe Berra's defensive header straight from kick-off was picked up by Johnson and the forward lashed a left-footed effort from outside the box just wide of the post.
Hearts midfielder Haring then had a tame header saved before Motherwell defender Carl McHugh prevented what would have been a simple front-post tap-in from Steven MacLean following a flowing move involving Michael Smith and Demi Mitchell.
The Steelmen had the ball in the net in the seventh minute when Curtis Main curled a sublime effort into the net from 18 yards but referee Willie Collum had already blown for a foul after the striker barged into defender Clevid Dikamona.
However, there was nothing wrong with the 14th-minute effort that led to the hosts taking the lead.
Olly Bozanic dug out a cross from the left and Haring managed to squeeze a header past Mark Gillespie at the front post.
Following a bright start, the match soon descended into a scrappy midfield battle that was, in the main, dominated by Motherwell.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action although Well keeper Gillespie was forced into making a save to keep out a mis-hit Marcus Godinho cross a minute before the break.
The interval did not alter the way this game was being played as both teams continued to battle fiercely for every ball.
The home side did have a sight of goal after 52 minutes but Bozanic's half-volley from a Haring header inside the area was comfortably picked up by Gillespie.
At the the other end, Charles Dunne headed a David Turnbull corner just wide.
There was a full 20-minute gap for the next half chance but Hearts midfielder Sean Clare sliced a shot wide after being teed up by Arnaud Djoum.
Motherwell threw balls into the box but they were expertly repelled by a Hearts defence who diligently protected goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal.