Hearts travelled to Fir Park looking to build on their midweek Scottish Cup win and at the same time exact some revenge on Motherwell for thire CIS Cup semi-final defeat.
The home side went into the game looking for their first league win since December 11, seven league games previously.
In the opening exchanges the visitors looked the more likely with an early Dennis Wyness snap-shot testing Gordon Marshall. But with Jim Hamilton causing Steve Pressley problems, Motherwell were soon back in the game.
The home side were given a golden chance after 13 minutes when young Hearts' full-back Lee Wallace pulled down Scott McDonald for a clear penalty. After debate between Hamilton and Kevin McBride, McBride stepped up to take the kick but his soft effort was easily saved by Craig Gordon.
It took only 12 more minutes for Motherwell to take the lead, however. Steven Hammell burst through from midfield and his shot was saved by the legs of Gordon, but McDonald was on hand to stroke the rebound home.
After 37 minutes McBride headed over a Jamie Paterson cross, but the second was only delayed one more minute. A long ball wasn't dealt with by the Hearts' defence and Marc Fitzpatrick burst through to drill a low shot past Gordon.
Motherwell continued to look the more likely early in the second half, and only fine stops from Gordon from Paterson and Hamilton, the second a full-stretch tip over, kept the visitors in touch.
The remainder of the game was poor fare with Motherwell sitting comfortably on their lead and Hearts struggling to break the home side down. The nearest they came was a couple of crosses that caused Marshall some alarm but the defence came to his rescue and the danger was cleared.