Motherwell vs Hearts LIVE: Scottish Premiership team news, radio, updates, stats, reaction & match report

ByThomas Duncan

BBC Sport Scotland

Leaders Hearts nudged four points clear of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race after drawing at Motherwell - but missed an opportunity to put maximum pressure on the defending champions before Sunday's Old Firm derby.

Derek McInnes' side managed to come from behind to earn points for the fifth game in a row when Lawrence Shankland cancelled out Stephen Kingsley's own goal.

But despite a second-half surge, Hearts could not find a winner amid a dramatic scenes which included a Motherwell disallowed goal, injuries to key players, and controversial decision not to award Hearts a penalty.

Still, they know that victory in their penultimate game against Falkirk at Tynecastle on Wednesday means they would - at worst - go to Celtic Park on Sunday needing avoid defeat to win a first title since 1960.

A visit to Fir Park is one of the toughest tests in Scottish football this season, and Hearts initially looked cautious against fourth-place Motherwell despite Shankland's early goal-bound shot being blocked by Stephen O'Donnell.

Instead it was Motherwell who took a grip of the game when an incisive move opened space for Emmanuel Longelo to cross, and a stranded Kinglsey could only divert the ball into his own net.

Hearts, though, have showed character and guts throughout this unlikely title tilt, coming from behind to win their vital last three games.

Kingsley made up for his earlier lapse by finding Michael Steinwender at the back post, and the defender's wonderful strike was parried to Shankland, who hauled his team level with a composed finish.

From there a frantic second half unfolded as Hearts lost both Marc Leonard and Craig Halkett to serious-looking injuries, but they pressed on regardless in search of a winner.

They thought they had the chance to grab it from the penalty spot when Tawanda Maswanhise appeared to stand on Alexandros Kyziridis' foot and referee Steven McLean was called to the monitor.

However the referee stunned Fir Park by sticking with his original decision.

Kyziridis went on to head wide from a fantastic position, and though both sides continued to attack, that ended up being the best opportunity.

While the draw gives Celtic a chance to narrow the gap to one on Sunday when they host Rangers, it keeps Hearts' chance of winning a first title for 66 years in their own hands with two games to play.

More to follow.

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