Robert Tomaschek spectacularly fired Hearts into a half-time lead against Motherwell at Tynecastle.

The Slovakian picked up a clearance 30 yards from goal and almost casually thundered a shot past Stephen Woods in the Motherwell goal.

It was a deserved lead for the home side who for most of the first period were more creative and attack-minded than their Lanarkshire opponents.

Hearts needed the three points to virtually guarantee themselves a top six place and they went straight on the offensive against a much-changed Motherwell.

After only a minute Motherwell midfielder Derek Townsley had to head a Thomas Flogel cross clear to foil on-rushing Hearts striker Andy Kirk.

The swirling wind inside Tynecastle made conditions difficult for both sides but it was Hearts who were coping better and they continued to press for the breakthrough.

Steven Boyack picked up a loose ball at the edge of the Motherwell box but his shot went high over Stephen Woods' crossbar.

Moments later Lee Makel had a better strike from 25 yards but this time the ball went past Woods' right hand post.

Hearts continued to press and it was no surprise when they got their opener in the 15th minute.

Tomaschek picked up a headed clearance 30 yards from goal and thundered an unstoppable shot high into the net past Woods.

Hearts should have doubled their lead a minute later when Colin Cameron split the Motherwell defence and left Boyack with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The ex-Dundee player skilfully rounded Woods, but Motherwell captain Scott Leitch tracked back to put in a great last-gasp tackle just as Boyack set himself to stroke the ball into the empty goal.

The visitors tried to battle back, but Hearts had a firm grip on the game and kept on attacking in a bid to get the second goal.

On 23 minutes Cameron's header was accurate but lacked the power to trouble Woods who gathered confidently.

The visitors' plans were further upset on the half-hour mark when midfielder Derek Townsley was carried off after landing badly to be replaced by youngster Keith Lasley.

Townsley's injury held up play for almost eight minutes and seemed to take the sting out of the game when it restarted.

Things looked even bleaker for Motherwell when midfielder Kevin Twaddle was injured in the 35th minute and had to be replaced by young Stephen Nicholas.

As the first half drew to a close the game deteriorated into a scrappy affair with neither side taking much in the way of scoring opportunities.

The impressive Cameron was unlucky with a curled shot from 20 yards which went inches past the right hand post of Woods.

The visitors suffered misfortune when Greg Strong's effort from six yards cannoned off the post.

As Dundee grew in confidence, their collection of exotic names began to exercise a growing influence, and in the 35th minute Marcello Marrocco drove an excellent left foot shot across the face of the goal.

Kilmarnock did have their chances too, though, when in the space of two minutes both strikers Dargo and Ali McCoist were negligent with their finishing.

But Dundee's response with just a minute before the break, really should have seen them go in front, but Caniggia could only drill his shot against Meldrum after a quality pass by Giorgi Nemsadze.