Stephen Robinson praises Motherwell after win over Kilmarnock

Motherwell caretaker manager Stephen Robinson praised the players for showing desire for the club after they came from behind to win 2-1 against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Robinson stepped in after Mark McGhee lost his job on the back of four consecutive defeats and 17 goals conceded and Killie deservedly went in ahead at half-time after Kris Boyd netted his 200th top-flight goal in Scotland.

But Carl McHugh and Zak Jules converted from set-pieces in the second half and Boyd hit an injury-time penalty off the post after Bobby Madden ruled Elliot Frear had fouled Callum Roberts.

Robinson, who started with McHugh in a three-man central defence, said: "It's been a tough week. Mark has been a very good friend to me, guided me immensely in the game as well, so it was tough.

"A lot of those players owed Mark a performance and they did that. We have been able to have a bit more time to work on them, we have had four or five days where we have implemented what I wanted to do, and they looked solid.

"They didn't look like they were going to concede goals. But they have shown a real energy and desire and I thought we thoroughly deserved the win.

"I've seen the replay back and it wasn't a penalty. It was a tough decision for Bobby, it happened so fast, but I think the right result happened."

Robinson influenced the game at half-time by bringing on winger Frear and forward Ryan Bowman for full-back Steven Hammell and midfielder Keith Lasley, while maintaining the shape.

"All we did was put a little bit more positivity in the team," he said. "With Elliott you get a lot of forward thinking and I thought Ryan Bowman was excellent when he came on, he was a real handful. We were just more positive.

"They have bought into what we were trying to do all week, it showed that we were able to implement what we tried to come and do, but more to the point, they have shown the fans that they really care. They have thrown their bodies on the line and the energy and effort they have put in for Motherwell was fantastic."

Robinson was again non-committal about the prospect of him taking charge in the long term.

The former Oldham boss, who returned to Fir Park eight days before McGhee's departure, said: "It was a tough week, and I agreed to take the job today because Motherwell Football Club have been excellent with me. There are some really, really good people at this football club, between the fans and the board and people in the background. I wanted to do that.

"Let me enjoy this evening, go back and see my kids and wife, and we'll go from there."

Kilmarnock caretaker manager Lee McCulloch hailed Boyd for his achievement and was philosophical about the striker's penalty miss.

"It happens," he said. "If there was a penalty in the next five minutes, you want Kris Boyd taking it. Unbelievable achievement to get the 200 goals.

"The big man was outstanding and I said that to him after the game. It was an outstanding performance but on top of that he got his goal as well."

McCulloch, whose side also hit the bar twice through Boyd and Gary Dicker, felt they dominated after the first 15 minutes of each half and praised Motherwell goalkeeper Craig Samson for his display.

He added: "The biggest disappointment is the set-plays, people switching off, not doing their jobs. Individual errors have cost us two goals."

• superscoreboard