THE debate over the possible introduction of VAR in Scottish football was kept bubbling along at Fir Park yesterday after Hearts claimed a single goal victory in controversial circumstances. Mercifully for the country’s embattled referees though, no blame could be laid at the door of referee Bobby Madden this time.

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson was certain that the goal that settled a match that was more royal rumble than silky soccer would not have stood had the officials had the chance to see the challenge on his goalkeeper Trevor Carson from human battering ram Uche Ikpeazu that has left the Northern Ireland internationalist with a suspected broken ankle.

In real time, the coming together looked like a 50/50, with the ball squirming loose on the ricochet between the players to allow Steven Naismith to finish coolly into the empty net for his eighth of the season. But while Robinson laid no blame at the door of Ikpeazu, he says that with the benefit of hindsight, the only goal of the game should not have stood.

"We all thought it was a 50/50, including Bobby,” Robinson said.

“I’ve got the benefit of watching it back four or five times and Trevor clearly gets the ball.

“I have to say, there was no intent whatsoever from big Uche, but his momentum takes him right through and we’ve potentially got a goalkeeper with a broken ankle or a broken leg. He clearly wins the ball before Uche makes contact with him and then it ricochets.”

What made the incident more frustrating for the Fir Park boss was that it was entirely preventable. Carl McHugh had handled Ikpeazu as well as anyone since the hulking striker arrived in Scotland, but it was his short passback that put his keeper in trouble.

“It was an individual error which we can prevent, so it’s not a blame game,” said Robinson.

“Until we get a wee bit of help for everybody then those decisions are going to be given.

“If that’s in the MLS and the ref looks back at it, then the goal wouldn’t have stood and potentially there’s a card involved.

“But look, we could have prevented that, and in overall terms of the game I’m very disappointed that we didn’t come out with something.”

Hearts manager Craig Levein had watched the match unfold from the stand, and he piled insult onto Carson’s injury by claiming the keeper was to blame.

“If it was me I would be unhappy with my goalie,” Levein said. “I thought it was a very fair challenge. It was just that Ikpeazu wanted to win it more.”

There was no doubting that both teams certainly wanted to win this game. It was blood and snotters stuff, with no quarter given. Motherwell may feel aggrieved that they didn’t claim at least a point, but Hearts were rewarded for being clinical with the one big opportunity of the afternoon, and their magnificent defending, particularly from centre-backs John Souttar and Jimmy Dunne.

The pair stood tall as Motherwell shelled ball after ball into the area, pretty much from the moment Naismith had nudged the visitors ahead just before the half hour.

It wasn’t all backs to the wall stuff though, and but for a lack of composure Hearts perhaps should have killed off the match on the counter.

As it was, they held out for three points that keeps their 100% record intact after five game and moves them five points clear at the top of the table.

There may be more good news for the almost 3000 giddy Jambos whose over-exuberance on the way out of Fir Park left numerous seats scattered in their wake, as former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sean Clare – who watched the match - closed in on a move to Tynecastle.

“He is nearly signed,” said Levein. “It has been quite complicated.

“He’s still a Sheffield Wednesday player essentially because he’s still subject to training compensation and we are trying to get that all sorted out.

“I believe the paperwork is nearly done, and he should be with us on Monday. I can’t tell you how excited I am.”