Motherwell took an early lead when Jim Paterson took advantage of a poor Scott Wilson clearance to crash a 22-yard shot high past the helpless Allan McGregor in the Pars goal.
McGregor was in action once again after 17 minutes when he had to react well to save from Paterson, with Scott Thomson being on hand to complete the clearance.
The lead only lasted 13 minutes with the Pars equalising through a low angled drive by Ian Campbell across Graeme Smith and in off the far post. This lifted the visitors and they took a grip of the game in midfield and put pressure on 'Well.
They were rewarded for this after 29 minutes when Mark Burchill was barged in the box for a penalty. The striker stepped up to take the kick himself and coolly sent Smith the wrong way to put the Pars 2-1 up.
The Pars put 'Well in deeper trouble five minutes after the break when they made it 3-1. Bartosz Tarachulski combined with Burchill before laying the ball into the path of Gary Mason, who slid it home from close range.
Motherwell manager Terry Butcher made two changes wit Scotth McDonald and Kevin McBride being introduced to the action, and this brought instant results as they pulled one back almost right away.
McDonald fed the ball to Stephen Craigan following a McBride corner, and the defender hammered the ball high past McGregor from 12 yards.
McGregor made a string of fine saves to keep his side in the lead and make sure that their SPL future was secure for another year.
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