Hearts manager Jim Jefferies criticised his players' attitude after their 2-0 home defeat by Motherwell saw their European hopes all but killed off.
An enterprising first-half display by Motherwell was finally rewarded in the final four minutes when Steven Saunders scrambled home his first career goal and John Sutton headed home his 12th of the season. Motherwell could have added to their lead as they moved into fourth spot, seven points ahead of Hearts with a goal difference superior by 13.
Jefferies said: "The second half we were better and got tighter but I told them the least we expect is a desire to win. We looked like a team that maybe settled for getting in the top six and that's not acceptable."
He added: "It's not all over, they have to go and concentrate on trying to win the next three games, but they won't with application like that.
"We can't have any complaints. The two goals are set-plays again but I think overall Motherwell were worthy of being a couple of goals up.
"They were better than us at passing, they were better at holding the ball, they worked harder than us. They didn't make it as easy for us as we made it for them.
"They had two strikers who were prepared to battle for everything and give our defenders a torrid time. We didn't do that at the other end.
"In the middle of the park we were too far off them, when we lost possession they were breaking and we were nowhere to be seen."
Source: PA
