The pattern of the game was established early as Erwin found the net with a couple in the 6th and 25th minutes. McDonald scored just on the break before Sutton snapped up his two inside five minutes when he replaced Erwin in the closing 20 minutes.
Johnson was restored to the wing as Grant made way. It took only a few minutes for Ainsworth to show that he was minded to torment the St Mirren back line from both the wing and from a more central position. His run along the dead ball line set up Erwin for the opener with a twisting shot at the near post.
It was also apparent that the visitors were not likely to cause McManus and Co. much in the way of trouble as Arquin, as a lone striker, was easily marshalled. Johnson had a volley on target as he collected a corner at the far post then Laing had a great chance but headed wide.
Erwin’s second was down to his quick footwork as he collected the ball with his back to goal. A turn on the spot and a shot from 8 yards gave us breathing space. McDonald made no mistake when Johnson supplied a perfect cut back and we were three up at the break.
St Mirren were awful. Passes went astray, long punts upfield were easily controlled by our defence and there was none of the fight that might have been expected from a team desperate to cling on to top flight status. Thomson and Wylde were fielded as the second period started but to no effect. There was a fairly lack lustre spell for a while before pearson had to be replaced due to a problem with his knee. Grant came off the bench on the hour.
The pace of Johnson and Ainsworth continued to tear the shaky defence apart and Motherwell could have scored a few more before Sutton made his appearance with 20 minutes left. His first was a headed corner from close range then the ball fell kindly for a simple tap-in five minutes later.
The sorry St Mirren team left the field with heads down while Motherwell took the thanks of the crowd. We are now a team that has found the goal scoring touch (11 in the last three games) and we’ll go to Firhill for the last game before the split with confidence.
Motherwell 5 St Mirren 0
Attendance 4,596 (626)
Team: Long, McManus, Ainsworth (D Thomas 75), Lasley, Law, Erwin(Sutton 70), Johnson, Straker, Laing, Pearson(Grant 63), McDonald.