Hamilton 0 Motherwell 1

Louis Laing scored Motherwell's first goal at New Douglas Park for seven years

to earn his side a 1-0 Lanarkshire derby victory over Hamilton.

Laing finished emphatically from close range after a 45th-minute corner as

Motherwell moved up to seventh in the Ladbrokes Premiership, one point off the

top six and seven above the play-off spot.

Motherwell striker Louis Moult had an 81st-minute penalty saved during a

comfortable second half for the visitors.

Laing's goal was Motherwell's first at the venue since Lukas Jutkiewicz hit a

late equaliser in November 2009, six months after their previous win in

Hamilton, when Mark McGhee was in his first spell as Fir Park manager.

They had failed to score in seven visits, including a Scottish Cup defeat by

Albion Rovers, but made a confident start.

Hamilton had three players booked in the opening 10 minutes, Ziggy Gordon for

pulling back Marvin Johnson and both Antons Kurakins and Gramoz Kurtaj for

reckless challenges on Moult.

Scott McDonald curled just wide from 25 yards with one of the resulting

free-kicks as Motherwell enjoyed the better of the opening stages.

The visitors were getting in behind Hamilton with some good moves down the

right but were not testing Michael McGovern and Accies came close when Michael

Devlin headed against the post following a corner.

Hamilton's Dougie Imrie had a clear sight of goal just after the half-hour

mark, when Keith Lasley's sliding interception inadvertently set him up, but he

curled wide from 16 yards.

Kurtaj failed to make the most of a hat-trick of chances but Motherwell were

also creating opportunities. Stephen Pearson forced McGovern into a good diving

save and Steven Hammell and McDonald were also denied before Moult shot wide

from 18 yards.

Motherwell came closer when McDonald stabbed against the post from close range

after running on to Johnson's deflected shot, just before the long-awaited goal

came.

McDonald's header was blocked following Hammell's corner and Laing lashed the

ball into the roof of the net from inside the six-yard box.

Motherwell remained on top after the interval. Johnson looped a header over and

Moult almost got McDonald away, before the Australian shot into the side net

after good wing play from Johnson.

Hamilton livened up after Eamonn Brophy came on but Motherwell defended well

and pressed their opponents in possession.

Motherwell had a great chance to double their lead after Chris Cadden went down

under McGovern's challenge with referee Kevin Clancy ruling the goalkeeper had

not got the ball.

There was a significant delay as Clancy spoke to McGhee and Hamilton kit man

Danny Cunning following a touchline clash - the latter had been sent to the

stand during the game when Jutkiewicz scored.

McGovern threw himself to his right to touch Moult's effort wide but the miss

proved inconsequential as Motherwell saw out the game comfortably.

• 2014