5pm

We lost 2-1 to Hearts at Fir Park this afternoon, largely due to a very disappointing first-half performance.

A strange team selection saw Dirk Lehmann start the match at centre-half and Martyn Corrigan return to the side, with Derek Adams in midfield and a front pairing of James McFadden and David Ferrere.  Stuart Elliott dropped to the bench.

The first-half was dire stuff and Hearts dominated for virtually the entire 45 mins, with goalkeeper Niemi never really called into action.  After a couple of half-chances, the visitors took the lead in 22 mins when Severin slotted past Woods following some poor defending.  Eric Black eventually realised his system wasn't working and moved Lehmann upfront, with Ferrere dropping back to midfield and Corrigan moving back to defence.  At least now we carried a bit of presence in attack and managed to hold the ball up a bit more often, but we were still fortunate to go in at the interval only 1 goal behind.

The second-half started in similar fashion, and it was against the run of play when we equalised after 54 mins with a goal out of nothing.  A free-kick was punted upfield, and when the ball eventually landed at the feet of Keith Lasley he volleyed home spectacularly to make the score 1-1. This appeared to be the turning point of the game as it seemed Motherwell were the only team who would go on to win, and we went close on several occasions.  Lehmann in particular had two good efforts saved by Niemi although perhaps on both occasions he should have squared the ball.  With Motherwell pushing forward, it was another goal against the run of play which won the game for Hearts.  With 81 mins on the clock, a cross from the left was slotted home by Sloan to give the Tynecastle side all three points.

This afternoon's defeat finally confirms that we will be playing in the bottom six after the league split, and with St Johnstone virtually certain to be relegated it looks like we'll have eight meaningless matches to finish the season with.  Roll on the new campaign!

Don't forget about the Golden Jubilee Ball to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our first Scottish Cup win, to be held in Jack Daniels on Saturday, April 20.  I got my ticket this afternoon, make sure you get yours too!  Contact Matt Johnstone for details and tickets.

Our forthcoming home game against Celtic, scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd, has now been rearranged for Tuesday, March 19th with a 7.45pm kick-off due to Celtic's cup semi-final.

Time for a new Fans' Poll....

Should any of the Fir Park stands be renamed after 'Well legends?

Enter our new Prediction League  - cash prizes to be won!