Phil McGhee at the Superseal Stadium.
In what had been an impressive run of four wins in five games, Motherwell’s good form came to an end with a poor showing in the Lanarkshire derby.
In truth, Hamilton Academical were the more determined side as they secured a 2-0 win at the Superseal Stadium, and fought hard to protect Marios Ogkmpoe’s early lead.
And when slack play allowed David Templeton to add a second midway through the second half, there was no way back for the under par Steelmen.
In truth, the opening goal was the first real effort of the match with just ten minutes on the clock. The ‘Well defence failed to clear Templeton’s corner and as the ball bounced around the six yard box, Ogkmpoe cutely back healed the ball high into the net despite Richard Tait’s attempt to head the ball over the bar.
For the remainder of the half, ‘Well bossed the middle of the park but without exposing the Accies defence, as they struggled to test the home goal for the remainder of the game.
Good build up midway through the half found its way to Tait on the left of the box who cut inside on to his right foot before driving the ball narrowly past the post.
Shortly after, Tanner fed the ball through to Curtis Main, who turned at the edge of the box before his low shot forced a routine save from Gary Woods.
In the final action of the first half of a rather poor 45, Main’s head flick directed Tait’s cross narrowly over the bar.
The weather failed to improve in the second half, but ‘Well came out looking rejuvenated for the second half. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Stephen Robinson made a double substitution with Nadir Ciftci and Gael Bigirimana bringing a bit of composure to the visitor’s play.
Almost immediately Bigirimana, sent Tait in behind the home defence and when his cross was nodded out to Carl McHugh it was an invitation to repeat his winning goal against Hearts. However, on his favoured left, the ‘Well captain struck a sweet volley narrowly over the bar.
But the sucker punch arrived 20 minutes into the half when miscommunication between McHugh and Bigirimana allowed Templeton to pick up the ball the ball inside the centre circle. And although he chased the Accies man back into his own box, he couldn’t prevent Templeton steering the ball low past Carson to double Hamilton’s advantage.
And despite placing the home defence under some sustained pressure in the closing stages, Accies never looked like surrendering their lead.
With five minutes remaining and the bulk of ‘Well’s 1700 fans heading back across the Clyde, Ciftci curled a free kick wide of goal as the Accies ‘keeper still waited to make his first meaningful save.
And to sum up ‘Well’s day in the final minute of injury time, Woods produced his first stop, diving full length to push Bigirimana’s curling shot round his post to deny the Fir Parker’s a consolation goal.