Motherwell were unfortunate to go into the break goalless against Hearts after missing a number of first half chances at Fir Park.

Hearts were unfortunate not to grab an early opening goal at Motherwell when a great through ball from Robert Tomaschek set-up an opening for Andy Kirk, but his shot posed little trouble for Andy Goram.

Motherwell's reply came from a deep corner which was missed by everyone until Ged Brannan returned the ball with a high cross which Antti Niemi gathered confidently.

Then after five minutes a great ball from John Spencer sent Derek Townsley racing towards goal but having run 50 yards he pulled the ball wide of the keeper and the post.

Minutes later the winger repaid Spencer with a great cut-back but with the goal at this mercy the Motherwell striker half hit his shot allowing Niemi to smother the ball on his goal-line.

A push on the back of McCulloch gave Motherwell a free-kick just outside the box but the chance was wasted as Twaddle curled his shot around the wall and well off target.

Twaddle then had another chance to create something but his cut back was poor, finding no team-mates.

It was all Motherwell at this stage and a through ball from Spencer sent Twaddle racing towards goal but his final shot drifted just over the crossbar.

At long last the goalkeepers saw action and a snap shot from Spencer forced Niemi to save at the foot of his post.

Motherwell dominated for most of the first half and although most of the action took place around the visitor's goal Motherwell could not make the breakthrough.

As half-time approached, the home side looked certain to make the breakthrough and it almost came after 36 minutes when a Twaddle shot was parried by Niemi but as the keeper lay grounded McCulloch smacked the rebound against the cross bar.

It was all Motherwell and another fine move saw Townsley cross to the far post only to watch Twaddle head wide.

Then just before the break a Twaddle cross was left by McCulloch but Townsley's shot two yards from goal was deflected wide as Hearts held on.