The bubble's not burst but Jambos are suffering a slow puncture

NO GOALS, honours even... the Hearts’ title bubble may not have actually burst but it's safe to now say it's suffering a slow puncture.

- GORDON PARKS AT FIR PARK

Some harsh realities were again laid bare in Lanarkshire for the Edinburgh side and it came with the hissing sound of a title bid slowly deflating.

Five thousand or so Jambos filled the away stand at Fir Park, just as they have at a variety of Premiership venues across the country during this campaign.

It added to the anticipation for what was billed as the game of the weekend.

It wasnt difficult to make a case for this collision between the league's two inform clubs being the top draw.

Just throw in an exhilarating 3-3 draw at Tynecastle between the pair earlier in the campaign and months of sustained, free-flowing attacking play.

It's just a pity this meeting came with a blunt edge, despite again rating highly in the entertainment stakes.

Motherwell started with some attacking verve.

A low Callum Hendry cross from the right flew across the six-yard box in a third-minute moment of danger for the Edinburgh side but there were no takers.

There was an immediate response from Hearts as Stephen Kingsley surged down the left.

His back-post delivery was met by Harry Milne whose header looped inches over the crossbar.

End-to-end, expansive and a willingness to get on the front-foot by both teams ensured the contest was living up to its pre-match billing.