Motherwell 1 – Hearts 3

Hearts moved second in the Premiership after a 3-1 victory over Motherwell saw them collect maximum points at Fir Park for the first time in six years.

The visitors got the break they needed to end a two-match run without a goal when Sam Nicholson's shot bounced in off Motherwell defender Stephen McManus seconds before half-time.

Both Callum Paterson and Arnaud Djoum produced excellent finishes from the edge of the box to put the game out of sight before James McFadden scored a spectacular consolation.

Motherwell started with three strikers but only one of Louis Moult, Ryan Bowman and Scott McDonald was truly playing in their preferred role at any one stage in the first half and their work on the wings came to little effect.

The hosts did have by far the best chance of the half but Jack Hamilton produced an outstanding one-handed stop from Craig Clay's deflected effort.

Motherwell soon lost the thrust of Chris Cadden to a hamstring problem and former Swansea midfielder Lee Lucas came on.

Hamilton made another stop from McDonald before Hearts were given a huge helping hand in taking the lead.

Keith Lasley had the chance to complete a clearance after Craig Samson had punched away a free-kick but, with no team-mate upfield, the skipper tried to dink the ball to Tait 10 yards in front of him. Nicholson intercepted and tried a speculative shot which bounced off the shin of McManus on the edge of the box and spun into the corner of the net.

The game opened up after the break as Motherwell got their three strikers far closer together and Hearts threatened in the space behind.

Motherwell thought they had levelled within seven minutes when Moult headed home after McDonald had hit a Lucas cross off the bar, but the flag was quickly raised.

Walker threatened twice, his second effort well saved, and Paterson blazed over from 10 yards.

Both McDonald and Moult got headers on target but straight at Hamilton and Hearts began to look increasingly dangerous.

Walker passed up a glorious chance when he mis-hit from 10 yards but Hearts kept the pressure on and Paterson fired into the top corner from the edge of the box in the 67th minute.

Motherwell brought on wide men James McFadden and Lionel Ainsworth but their chances disappeared after McDonald curled inches wide.

Hearts forward Tony Watt was causing problems and he shot against the post before Djoum curled first time into the top corner from 20 yards as Motherwell struggled to clear an 83rd-minute corner.

Most of the home support had gone by the time McFadden curled a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner in injury time.

Aberdeen have the chance to reclaim second spot if they win at Kilmarnock on Saturday.