Match ends, Motherwell 2, Inverness CT 1.
Motherwell 2-1 Inverness CT
By Alasdair Lamont
BBC Scotland at Fir Park
- From the section Football
Motherwell ended an eight-game winless run with a valuable victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The visitors had been unbeaten in their 10 previous games in 2015, but the contrast in form counted for nothing.
Louis Laing put the home side ahead only for debutant Edward Ofere to pull Caley Thistle level.
But substitute Lionel Ainsworth fired in a late winner at the end of a breathless second half, which included a red card for Simon Ramsden.
It is a result of great significance for Ian Baraclough, whose team remain deeply immersed in a relegation battle despite this long-awaited win.
The performance, though, will give him and the Motherwell supporters hope that they can turn things around.
For Inverness boss John Hughes, although it brings to an end an impressive streak, Dundee United's defeat means their quest for European football is not badly damaged.
They contributed hugely to an entertaining second period, but Motherwell dug in to take the points.
Laing's opening goal was well crafted, with Conor Grant whipping in a tremendous cross that was planted past goalkeeper Ryan Esson by the defender.
Ofere replied with a very similar effort, heading in from Graeme Shinnie's perfect cross.
Just as it looked as though both sides' runs would be prolonged, Ainsworth cut in from the left to fire a low shot past Esson, aided by a deflection off Ross Draper.
Ramsden was dismissed shortly afterwards for a second bookable offence, but Caley Thistle could not draw level again.
They had struck the woodwork twice earlier, Ofere and Danny Williams the players denied, while Williams was also brilliantly thwarted by Long as he ran through on goal in a rare bit of first-half excitement.
Scott McDonald also had a chance to score on his return to Motherwell but blasted over from a good position.
The striker caused a few problems though and could yet be a crucial acquisition as Motherwell battle to avoid relegation from Scottish Premiership.
Line-ups
Motherwell
- 1Long
- 5RamsdenBooked at 88mins
- 45Laing
- 6McManus
- 18Law
- 47Grant
- 14Lasley
- 24JohnsonSubstituted forAinsworthat 81'minutes
- 48PearsonBooked at 27mins
- 77McDonaldSubstituted forSuttonat 68'minutes
- 19ErwinSubstituted forMooreat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Carswell
- 7Ainsworth
- 9Sutton
- 12Twardzik
- 20Kerr
- 22Moore
- 26Thomas
Inverness CT
- 1Esson
- 2Raven
- 14DevineBooked at 74mins
- 6Meekings
- 3Shinnie
- 19WilliamsSubstituted forFergusonat 58'minutes
- 8DraperBooked at 55mins
- 16TanseyBooked at 60mins
- 11RossSubstituted forDoranat 73'minutes
- 7Ofere
- 22Christie
Substitutes
- 10Doran
- 17Horner
- 18Tremarco
- 20Polworth
- 31Mackay
- 37Sutherland
- 39Ferguson
- Referee:
- Alan Muir
- Attendance:
- 3,508
Match Stats
Home TeamMotherwellAway TeamInverness CT
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home8
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 2, Inverness CT 1.
Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Stephen McManus.
Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Stephen McManus.
Attempt blocked. Aaron Doran (Inverness CT) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Simon Ramsden (Motherwell).
Attempt blocked. Ross Draper (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Goal!
Goal! Motherwell 2, Inverness CT 1. Lionel Ainsworth (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Ross Draper.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Lionel Ainsworth replaces Marvin Johnson.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Graeme Shinnie.
Attempt blocked. Keith Lasley (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Keith Lasley (Motherwell).
Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. John Sutton (Motherwell) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Craig Moore replaces Lee Erwin.
Goal!
Goal! Motherwell 1, Inverness CT 1. Edward Ofere (Inverness CT) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Graeme Shinnie.
Booking
Danny Devine (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Aaron Doran replaces Nick Ross.
Foul by Keith Lasley (Motherwell).
Ryan Christie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Edward Ofere (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. John Sutton replaces Scott McDonald.
Lee Erwin (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Danny Devine (Inverness CT).
Attempt saved. Conor Grant (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Booking
Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
Hand ball by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT).
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Calum Ferguson replaces Danny Williams.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Danny Devine.
Marvin Johnson (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by David Raven (Inverness CT).
Booking
Ross Draper (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
Lee Erwin (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ross Draper (Inverness CT).
Edward Ofere (Inverness CT) hits the right post with a header from the centre of the box.
Marvin Johnson (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by David Raven (Inverness CT).
Danny Williams (Inverness CT) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box.
Foul by Stephen McManus (Motherwell).