A much changed side saw Quinn in the centre of defence, Lasley at right back and McGarry in midfield. Porter, Hughes and Craigan were missing as St Mirren kicked off facing the Cooper Stand end.
There was end to end action inside the first couple of minutes and both teams could have scored. Murphy produced the first of many decent wandering dribbles as he gave the crowd cause for the first cheer of the afternoon. Moments after that attack failed, a tempting low cross cut though our six yard box with both Wyness and Mehmet inches away from the touch which would have given the visitors the lead. Play then returned to the South Stand end to see Sutton's powerful header saved by Howard.
The early promise did not lead to a sparkling first half. Smith was the busier keeper in the next half hour and our reshaped team found it difficult to get going. There was plenty of endeavour but little in the way of a cutting edge.
Murphy had a superb day
Mehmet was allowed to move along the eighteen yard line and set up for a right footed effort without challenge. He struck cleanly and found the net to Smith's left. At the break we could hardly complain at the score despite Malcolm hitting the bar with a free kick.
Motherwell produced the equaliser two minutes into the second period. Murphy's hard work had earned a corner and Hammel's delivery found Sutton's head. The striker glanced the ball into the net.
It was just the fillip we needed and we continued to press for the winner. Ten minutes later it arrived.
Sutton was fouled at the edge of the box amd Murphy's strike forced a corner. The young striker took the kick quickly to Hammell. The left back had made his normal diagonal journey across the park to deliver the set piece but found the ball at his feet at the corner of the box. His cross found Malcolm inside the six yard box and he knocked it into the net off his thigh. That hardly mattered to the celebrating fans as they celebrated what turned out to be the winner.
St Mirren's chance of a recovery were all but extinguished when Miranda was red carded after an off the ball incident with Sutton. Those in the East Stand who saw the incident were quick to draw the referee's attention to the infringement and the assistant was able to supply sufficient detail to justify the red card.
After the game Mark McGhee declared that he was happy with the result but not the first half performance. The win can only help in the preparations.