Motherwell manager Jim Gannon benefited from a change of tactics as his unleashed midfielder Ross Forbes netted the only goal against Hearts.

The recalled Forbes lashed home his ninth goal of the season to move Motherwell up to fourth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after being given licence to attack.

Gannon also brought in John Sutton to play with two central strikers, and allowed central midfielders Giles Coke and Forbes more opportunity to attack instead of covering for overlapping full-backs.

The move paid off as Forbes made Motherwell's superiority count with a powerful volley from inside the penalty box, while Coke returned to his early-season form.

"Giles has got much more to offer than I was allowing him," Gannon said.

"We were playing this Milan formation where our three midfielders were more in the construction phase and allowing other people to attack.

"We talked about that inhibiting Ross and Giles' natural inclination to join the attack.

"Today we took the reins off a little bit and allowed them to go and join and got a better performance from Giles, and Ross was able to get in an area where he can use his undoubted talents."

Gannon, who dropped captain Stephen Craigan following the 3-0 Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat by St Mirren, added: "What pleased me is that everybody made a significant contribution.

"John Sutton came in and did really well and led the line. We changed the game plan a little bit. I think our players have shown in the last few games that they can play good football.

"But they have been caught up in playing all the time. They need to learn when and where to play, and when to hurt teams by getting it in quicker. Today we mixed it up quite well."

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo was downbeat after his side failed to get close to their midweek cup performance at Celtic. Michael Stewart scored the only goal at Parkhead but he was missing with an ankle injury and Hearts only threatened after his replacement Eggert Jonsson was sent off for a professional foul in the 71st minute.

"If you win at Celtic Park you must have more confidence," Laszlo said. "But we had some poor performances. Also, if experienced players like Michael Stewart are not there, then the team feels this.

"If you can play powerful and good football with 10 men why can't you do it before? You know why? The experience is not there. This is what makes me angry."

Laszlo took off full-back Craig Thomson after Yassin Moutaouakil's deep cross evaded him before Forbes struck in the 55th minute.

"Craig Thomson is a huge talent but it's a learning process this season," Laszlo said. "I'm not angry about this goal but if you have more experience you can avoid it."

Meanwhile, Laszlo does not know the extent of the ankle injury that forced Christian Nade off on a stretcher, although he said there was no swelling.