Ross Forbes scored another spectacular goal to move Motherwell up to fourth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 1-0 win over Hearts.

The midfielder lashed home a 55th-minute volley to claim his ninth goal of the season as Well deservedly beat a Hearts side which lost Eggert Jonsson for a professional foul.

The red card sparked Hearts into life but Shaun Hutchinson made two last-ditch challenges to secure the victory.

Motherwell almost lost goalkeeper John Ruddy after he suffered a groin injury in the warm-up but he was able to recover and did not have to make a save for 70 minutes.

The hosts could have had an even more comfortable afternoon if they had been awarded a 13th-minute penalty when Ismael Bouzid brought down Jim O'Brien as he ran on to Sutton's knockdown, but referee David Somers decided the Hearts defender got something on the ball.

Lukas Jutkiewicz shot wide from 25 yards after more good link-up play by Sutton as Motherwell continued to have the edge, but they were thankful for the pace of Yassin Moutaouakil as he prevented Andrew Driver capitalising on a Hearts break.

Motherwell then missed two great chances around the half-hour mark. Giles Coke headed O'Brien's free-kick wide from inside the six-yard box and Forbes blazed over from 14 yards after Janos Balogh had been penalised for picking up a Jose Goncalves backpass.

Coke was inches away from latching on to Jutkiewicz's clever through ball and Sutton claimed he had been pulled down by Bouzid inside the box, but Well took the lead moments later. Moutaouakil's deep cross evaded the Hearts back four and Forbes caught it full on the volley to fire into the far corner despite Balogh getting a touch.

Ruddy made his first save when he caught Ian Black's long-range effort but the shot backfired as the keeper immediately set O'Brien clear with a huge kick. Jonsson pulled O'Brien back just outside the box to earn himself a red card, although Forbes could only hit the free-kick into the wall.

Hearts put on more pressure with 10 men than they had with 11 though and Glen had a great chance to level with 10 minutes left. Moutaouakil looked to have stopped Driver reaching the byline but the Hearts winger got up quickly to feed Gary Glen, whose shot was diverted just past the post by Hutchinson's last-ditch block.