An unchanged Motherwell side faced the supermarket end as Accies kicked off. We showed our attacking intent with an immediate corner while the opposition demonstrated their over enthusiastic approach by earning three yellow cards in the first ten minutes. Gordon, Kuriakins and Kurtaj had to take no risks for the majority of the game. Maybe it was the referee's realisation that he might end up supervising an 8-a-side game that saved Johnson when he needlessly barged into Tagliepetra midway through the half.
The second quarter brought a series of chances for both teams. For the home side Imrie blasted wide from inside the box and an error by Hall had the big travelling support holding its breath as we scrambled to recover. At the other end Moult could not the the ball free to strike, then McDonald found the ball at his feet a few yards from goal but he was facing infield and the opportunity vanished. Pearson forced McGovern into a save and even Hammell produced a fine shot on target.
Just as we looked to the fourth official for the added minutes Johnson shot from the right and we had a corner. After a scramble Laing blasted high into the roof of the net to end our goal scoring drought at New Douglas Park.
We made a bright start after the break though the intensity of the latter stages of the first half was missing. Moult released McDonald into the box and McGovern did well to clutch the ball at the striker's feet. Most of the play was in the Accies half and Canning made a couple of substitutions in an attempt to get into the game.
The game should have been finished late on when Cadden was brought down by McGovern and a penalty was awarded. After a delay of a few minutes caused by handbags between the dugouts, Moult's low shot was saved.
McGhee added strength to the back line when he replaced Moult with Kennedy. Four additional minutes passed without incident and with the away stand in full Twist and Shout mode we secured a vital three points.
Hamilton 0 Motherwell 1
Attendance 3,755
Team: Ripley, Hammell, Laing, McManus, Hall, Pearson, Lasley, Johnson, Cadden, Moult (Kennedy 86), McDonald