These two sides were allegedly looking to pick up points to push for the top six, this was hard to believe watching the early stages. The only highlight in the opening minutes was a block by Mike Fraser from the on rushing David Clarkson.
Midway through the half the ref tried to put some life in the game with a couple of controversial decisions. Firstly he booked Clarkson for trying to win a penalty when he appeared to have been fouled by Fraser.
Minutes later the striker was lucky to escape a red card when it looked as though he had elbowed Grant Munro.
As the half appeared to be drifting to an end Motherwell took the lead. McDonald was fouled by Darren Dods at the edge of the box, Danny Murphy swung a tempting cross into the six-yard box for McDonald to head high into the roof of the net.
Inverness should've been back on level terms 12 minutes after the break, but Rory McAllister could only fire a Bayne knock back wildly over from 15 yards out.
Twenty minutes in John Rankin's long-range effort almost deceived Graeme Smith but the keeper reacted well to block and gather the loose ball.
With 20 minutes left McAllister again missed a gilt-edged chance when he shot wide from close-range after Dods and Ross Tokely had caused problems in the air for the Well defence.
Inverness piled men forward looking for an equaliser but the best they could do was a Tokely header wide with Smith out in no-man's land.