In the 24th minute the game burst into life, Scott Wilson sent Alan McCormack crashing to the ground for a free kick. The Pars defender did not take too kindly to McCormack going to ground and as he picked himself up
Wilson stuck his head into the midfielder's face and the ref had no option but to send him off.
The home side tried to make the extra man count, but despite having the bulk of possession they found it hard to create any real danger, only having a Clarkson header coming back off the bar to show for their efforts.
The start of the second half saw the flow of game continue towards the Pars goal, but Well had little to show for their efforts apart from a weak back- post header from Paterson following a right wing cross by Quinn.
Motherwell huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half without ever looking like scoring, and were almost stung with two minutes left. Pars were awarded a free-kick 40 yards out and Makel took it quickly, spotting Smith off his line but his opportunist effort floated wide.
The resilient Well side were not to be denied and found a way to secure the win as the game headed into stoppage time. The Pars defence failed to clear their lines and McCormack sent in a sizzling volley from 15 yards that Halliwell could only parry to Hamilton, who poked the ball over the line from two yards.