Match ends, Hamilton Academical 1, Motherwell 2.
HamiltonHamilton Academical1MotherwellMotherwell2
Tom Aldred scored twice in a crucial Lanarkshire derby as Motherwell ensured Hamilton Academical's winless run was extended to six games.
The hosts, without a victory since 1 December, took the lead with a rare foray forward through Dougie Imrie.
But centre-back Aldred levelled with a fine volley four minutes later, before striking again 13 minutes from time.
The result moves Motherwell 11 points clear of bottom side Dundee and seven of 10th-placed Hamilton.
Stephen Robinson's side had lost just once in their previous five visits to their Lanarkshire rivals, and their latest positive result at the Hope Stadium was deserved.
For Hamilton, there was little to cheer about as the pressure increases on manager Martin Canning.
Motherwell finally find their feet
For all Motherwell's positive record at the home of their rivals, the large travelling support would have come in hope rather than expectation.
On a three-game losing streak, Robinson went into the game with 11 injuries to contend with and without Ryan Bowman, who moves closer to signing for Exeter City.
To avoid being dragged into a relegation battle, a result was needed desperately but those Robinson put his trust in rewarded his faith with a performance that has not been there over the festive period.
With Elliott Frear starting, midfielder Andy Rose making his last appearance before moving to Vancouver and Conor Sammon joining Danny Johnson in attack, there was a dynamism about Motherwell.
Having said that, it was Hamilton who struck first. It was a simple ball over the top caught a high-lying Motherwell defence sleeping and although Imrie's low shot looked to have been saved by Mark Gillespie, the ball snuck in at the far post.
Four minutes later Motherwell were level. The hosts struggled with balls into the box all afternoon and when a deep corner was flicked on by Peter Hartley, Aldred was unmarked to volley high into the net.
Despite losing Richard Tait to injury moments later, the goal sparked the visitors into life and they would go close again through Frear and Sammon either side of the break.
It did look like time would run out for Motherwell as they continued to push, but Aldred would again be the unlikely hero.
A David Turnbull ball into the box was flapped at by Gary Woods, and Aldred was there again to provide another instinctive finish to claim a much-needed three points.
'Big January ahead for both' - analysis
BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis at Hope Stadium
A massive win for Motherwell, but an equally big loss for Hamilton, and the demeanours of both managers post match were telling. For Canning, it's about picking himself and his players up. Robinson was full of relief.
For both, the winter break will be about trying to bring in fresh faces, but that may be easer said than done.
The Motherwell manager says players will have to leave before he can bring in and Hamilton find themselves in a similar position. Canning wants players who can hit the ground running, but will clubs want to let that type go in January?
'We'll still look over our shoulder' - reaction
Hamilton manager Martin Canning: "To take the lead and not hold it for more than five minutes is crucial. I thought we were comfortable and we've lost it from two set-pieces into the box.
"We have given ourselves a mountain to climb in terms of catching Motherwell. It's really disappointing."
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "I thought the boys showed real composure. We kept believing in what we were doing, we were brave off the ball and composed on it.
"It was an important to win. Until we are actually safe mathematically, then we will be looking over our shoulders."
Line-ups
Hamilton
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Woods
- 4Gordon
- 6Kilgallon
- 46SowahSubstituted forBinghamat 81'minutes
- 2McGowanBooked at 61minsSubstituted forGogicat 64'minutes
- 25Martin
- 30Boyd
- 7Imrie
- 3McMannSubstituted forPennyat 49'minutes
- 11Miller
- 10Keatings
Substitutes
- 9Bingham
- 13Gogic
- 17Penny
- 22Monlouis
- 23Fulton
- 27Stanger
- 31Brustad
Motherwell
Formation 4-4-2
- 20Gillespie
- 2TaitSubstituted forTurnbullat 35'minutesBooked at 52mins
- 5Aldred
- 6Hartley
- 3Taylor-SinclairSubstituted forLivingstoneat 59'minutes
- 14Grimshaw
- 8CampbellBooked at 90mins
- 15Rose
- 11FrearBooked at 40mins
- 19Sammon
- 24Johnson
Substitutes
- 13Ferguson
- 17Bigirimana
- 23Gorrin
- 28Turnbull
- 29Livingstone
- 30Maguire
- 35Scott
- Referee:
- Nick Walsh
- Attendance:
- 3,843
Match Stats
Home TeamHamiltonAway TeamMotherwell
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away4
- Corners
- Home1
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Hamilton Academical 1, Motherwell 2.
Post update
Foul by Conor Sammon (Motherwell).
Post update
Scott Martin (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Allan Campbell (Motherwell) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Allan Campbell (Motherwell).
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Scott Martin (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Motherwell).
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James Keatings (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Danny Johnson (Motherwell).
Post update
Alex Penny (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Tom Aldred (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Mickel Miller (Hamilton Academical).
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Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Matthew Kilgallon.
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Attempt missed. Rakish Bingham (Hamilton Academical) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Conor Sammon (Motherwell).
Post update
Alex Penny (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Hamilton Academical. Rakish Bingham replaces Lennard Sowah.
Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Motherwell).
Post update
Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
