Well are off to Europe thanks to Lamie goal

MOTHERWELL 2 HEARTS 1 Ricki Lamie was the hero again as Motherwell secured European football with a 2-1 victory over Hearts.

Lamie accepted a gift to net following a 56thminute corner as Well moved into fourth spot – a point above Dundee United. Both clubs are out of sight of Ross County ahead of the final weekend of the cinch Premiership season.

Lamie had got Motherwell into the top six in the final seconds before the split when he equalised against Livingston.

But his own prospects of playing European football would first depend on him invoking a relegation clause with Dundee after signing a pre-contract with the Dark Blues in January.

The hosts got off to a flyer with the helping hand of Ross Stewart, who was in for the rested Craig Gordon. The former Fir Park goalkeeper palmed Connor Shields’ shot into the danger zone after Callum Slattery had played a quick ball in behind and Joe Efford sprinted in to convert the rebound inside three minutes.

The home fans’ joy was short-lived. Josh Ginnelly ran on to a headed clearance and burst past a flat-footed Juhani Ojala before slotting home for a ninth-minute equaliser.

Kelly saved from Peter Haring as Hearts maintained their dominance but Motherwell might have gone in ahead at the break had Efford squared to the unmarked Sean Goss on a counterattack. The American took another touch instead and tried a shot that was blocked.

Efford headed wide from a good chance following Shields’ cross moments into the second half and Well looked a different team after bringing on Kevin van Veen at the interval.

And Graham Alexander’s side went back in front after Peter Haring headed Slattery’s deep corner back into the middle of the box and Lamie slotted home.