Motherwell reserves started their league campaign with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Forthbank Stadium.
Stephen Craigan selected a young side for the clash with the Jambos, naming summer signings Christian Mbulu and Neil McLaughlin in the starting team.
Hearts, on the other hand, had an experienced line up on show at Forthbank Stadium. Ryan Edwards, Arnaud Djoum and Harry Cochrane were the three standouts, lining up in the visitors midfield.
It was a fast start for the Steelmen, who put the visitors under pressure from the first whistle and looked sure to take the lead early on when Neil McLaughlin won a penalty in the seventh minute.
As the attacking midfielder attempted to turn an effort on goal, he was brushed aside and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Up stepped George Newell, who sent a decent effort to the keepers left, but Hearts stopper Mason produced an equally decent save to keep the score level.
In a rather dull first half, Hearts went close through Cochrane from distance, and Barry Maguire sent a volley wide of the mark just after the half hour mark.
Craigan made one change at the break, replacing Jamie Semple for Broque Watson.
But it was McLaughlin who went closest to an opener, rising highest from a freekick to nod on target from inside the six-yard box, but Mason did well to palm it away.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, the deadlock was broken.
Mbulu, bringing the ball down in the box and firing across goal, nearly found Jason Krones to prod home, but the centre-back couldn’t connect to find the target. Fortunately, the ball fell kindly for Newell, who made no mistake from eight yards as he made amends for his earlier penalty miss to put the Steelmen in front.
Five minutes later, the lead was doubled and it was a well taken goal from McLaughlin which put the seal on proceedings at Forthbank.
Newell found Watson on the right flank in acres of space. He cut infield and his pass found McLaughlin on the edge of the box, who showed terrific composure to take a touch and fire low beyond Mason to wrap up all three points.