Motherwell 1-0 Hibernian (shite)

Motherwell claimed their first in six league matches to keep them in with a chance of a Uefa Cup spot.

David Clarkson was the hero for the home side with a neat control and low, driven finish after only three minutes.

Motherwell dominated the play in difficult conditions and passed up a number of chances to add to their lead.

Hibernian came close through a Dean Shiels strike that came off the bar, but it was one of few opportunites created by Mixu Paatelainen's men.

Although the match was the first on the troublesome Fir Park pitch for more than three weeks, heavy rain had undone any benefit gained from the respite.

And it was Motherwell who coped best with the wet, windy and muddy conditions, taking the lead after only three minutes.

Hibernian defender Martin Canning was caught out by Paul Quinn's long, diagonal ball.

And Clarkson controlled expertly on his chest, before shooting low inside Andy McNeil's right-hand post.

With the early confidence boost, Quinn then strode forward to try a shot from distance which flew inches past McNeil's top corner.

As Motherwell exerted their authority, Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen was vocal from the touchline as he desperately tried to lift his side from a sluggish start.

But the Steelmen had an excellent opportunity to double their lead after 10 minutes, only for Quinn to shoot over from six yards.

Hibs eventually steadied themelves and on 26 minutes Shiels was unlucky to watch his half-volley from the corner of the penalty area crash off the bar with Graeme Smith beaten.

Mark McGhee's men remained on top, although they were unable to take any of a number of chances to add to their tally.

Neither Clarkson nor Chris Porter could get a touch to turn the ball in from Stephen Hughes' cross in front of goal.

And Porter headed just wide before half-time as Motherwell took a slim but deserved lead into the break.

It was more of the same from Motherwell in the second 45, with Hibernian relying on counter-attacks.

Quinn headed over the bar from a Simon Lappin corner six minutes after the restart, and then Clarkson had a shot blocked following Porter's intelligent lay-off.

Keith Lasley then fired wide before goalscorer Clarkson left the field to a standing ovation to be replaced by Ross McCormack

Hibernian's lack of fluency on the park was summed up by Ian Murray shooting well wide from distance, with none of his teammates available for a pass.

But the away team nearly snatched an equaliser with five minutes to go when substitute Clayton Donaldson forced an excellent save from Smith with a low effort.

However, the Hibernian resurgence in the closing stages was too little too late, and Motherwell recorded a vital win in their push for third place.