Motherwell Under 20s picked up a comfortable three points with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The youngsters controlled their Development League clash for the majority of the 90 minutes, and notched all three points thanks to well taken goals from James Scott and Deimantas Petravičius.
It was a perfect start for the young Steelmen at Forthbank Stadium, who found themselves a goal ahead after just three minutes.
A lovely through ball from Liam Brown released James Scott, who did well to stay onside and coolly dispatch beyond Jasmin Koranovic in the Killie goal.
Just over ten minutes later, George Newell released himself down the right flank by cleverly flicking a header beyond his marker and bearing down on the box. His smart cut-back nearly found the arriving Jake Hastie, but it was well cut out by Aiden Wilson.
Just before the half hour mark, ‘Well doubled their advantage.
The pace of Petravičius proved too hard to handle for Kilmarnock, and, bursting through on goal, the winger made no mistake from inside the area to give Stephen Craigan’s side a two goal advantage.
That deficit remained as the referee blew for half time, but as the two sides got back underway for the second half, ‘Well didn’t let their grip of the game slacken.
A decent ball in to the box fell kindly for Newell, but a crucial touch by defender Thomas Dempsie turned the danger behind at the expense of a corner. From the set piece, the danger was only cleared as far as Ross MacLean, who sent his effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Hastie should have made it three when a pinpoint, cross-field ball from Bowers sent the winger in on goal. But, opting for power, he pulled his effort wide of the far post.
The visitors rarely tested Rohan Ferguson between the sticks, but when he was called in to action he didn’t disappoint. An effort from just a couple of yards was matched by the young stopper, who sprung across goal to deny the Killie striker from turning the ball home.
Immediately down the other end, ‘Well went close through Scott, who twisted and turned to make a yard for himself, but slotted the ball wide of the post.
The youngsters held on to their clean sheet in a controlled manner for the remainder of the game, and picked up a rather professional three points.