Scottish Premier League: Motherwell 1 Hearts 2

Hearts moved within three points of second-place Celtic after a 2-1 win at 10-man Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League on Tuesday.

A Kevin Kyle penalty proved the difference between the two sides after Keith Lasley had cancelled out Mark Reynolds’ own goal just before half-time.

Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings was sent off with eight minutes remaining after receiving a second yellow card for remonstrating with referee Steve O’Rielly, who had waved away a penalty appeal by the hosts.

The visitors went ahead on 44 minutes after Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph parried David Templeton’s overhead kick into defender Reynolds before the ball trickled into the net.

Motherwell hit back almost immediately when Lasley ran on to Alan Gow’s incisive through ball and slotted the ball home to draw the hosts level at the break.

But Motherwell’s hopes of victory were dashed when Kevin Kyle netted from the penalty spot on the hour mark after captain Stephen Craigan had crudely brought down Templeton in the box.

The hosts thought they should have had a penalty of their own with eight minutes to go when Alan Gow was felled in the area, but their vehement protests succeeded only in Jennings receiving his marching orders.

Hearts held on to record the win – their fifth straight in the league.