WHEN a team has waited this long for a victory they are never likely to prevaricate too much about the aesthetic merits of it. It hadn’t been pretty but come the conclusion of a contest that was mostly attritional in nature Hearts were savouring their first victory in eight games. The relief when Willie Collum finally blew for full-time after playing four minutes of injury time was almost palpable.

Hearts have fallen away somewhat since a stellar start to the season but, with their long-term casualty list finally beginning to ease, there is some light at the end of a long tunnel. Christophe Berra again took another composed step towards regaining full fitness with another commanding performance, while Steven Naismith is expected back in the next few weeks. Optimism is starting to return to Tynecastle.

Craig Levein looked a relieved man, too, as he summed up his feelings at seeing his side win their first match since October.

“The mission was to get three points,” he said. “How we could do that wasn’t of primary importance. So, it’s mission accomplished. Our players are on a little bit of a difficult run and confidence gets affected. We really needed to start picking up points again to have a foundation to build from.

“I thought the Rangers game started it although we didn’t pick up any points. St Johnstone beat Aberdeen today so going there and getting a draw doesn’t look quite so bad now. But overall I’m really pleased.”

For once, Levein had no complaints about the match officials. Collum was jeered ironically after every correct decision but, in truth, he handled the game in an unfussy, straightforward manner. When he finally had cause to get out his yellow card in the 84th minute it was well merited for Carl McHugh who had been late into a tackle.

Levein, who has railed against other match officials with increasing ire in previous games, even went as far to pay Collum a compliment.

“Willie was good,” he added. “He’s an experienced ref and I’m glad they put someone in like that - I don’t know if it was scheduled or not. But he was fine and there was a lot going on out there.”

His opposite number, Stephen Robinson, was not of a similar mind. When Motherwell had the ball in the net through Curtis Main’s turn and shot, it was quickly ruled out for an infringement. Robinson sought clarification but didn’t receive it.

“I’ve heard two different explanations for why it was disallowed, but the less I say about any decision and referees the better,” said the Northern Irishman who already has a date with the Hampden disciplinary panel pending. “I’d probably end up with a 50-game ban. It’s best to say nothing.”

Even the one goal that stood wasn’t straightforward. It was given to Peter Haring who looked to have fastened on to Ollie Bozanic’s cross after 14 minutes to head it beyond the goalkeeper. The Austrian, though, later admitted to have been in the vicinity at the time of the incident but felt the final touch may actually have come off Motherwell’s Charles Dunne.

“I think it was an own goal,” said Haring, who finished the game with a cut above his eye glued up. “I don’t really know how it happened. It was a good cross from Bozzie, I jumped for a header, felt some contact but I don’t know who headed the ball. I just heard our supporters cheering and that was it. Today I don’t care at all if I get the goal or not. I’m just glad we got the win. It was a good three points for us. We were all happy when the referee blew the final whistle.”

Robinson’s frustration at the result did not extend to his team who he felt had played well and deserved to have been rewarded with something for their endeavours. In truth, a flashing shot from Danny Johnston within the first 20 seconds was the closest they came to a legitimate goal all day.

“We lacked the killer touch in the final third,” admitted the manager. “We had a lot of possession, a few decent chances, but we have to look at ourselves again and we didn't stop the cross for the goal. It was the only threat they had all afternoon.

“I take heart from the application and desire and quality from the players at a difficult place to come. But emotions are dictated by results.”