Mark McGhee hails Motherwell duo Ben Hall and Scott McDonald after win

Motherwell boss Mark McGhee hailed teenager Ben Hall following his first career goal but reserved special praise for Scott McDonald following his side's 2-0 win over St Johnstone.

Hall headed home from a 38th-minute corner on his third appearance - all of which have been Motherwell victories - before McDonald set up Stephen Pearson to net on the break.

Goalkeeper Connor Ripley helped the home side maintain their lead with some excellent stops - notably from Chris Kane just before Pearson's 44th-minute goal.

McGhee said of Hall: The boy only knows how to win so far. No doubt he will learn the other side at some point but I thought he was terrific, I really did.

But on saying that I thought Scott McDonald's performance was outstanding. He looked as good as he's ever looked out there.

Even in the first 15 minutes when it was a bit huff and puff, he was the one that seemed to be flat out and really at it.''

McGhee, who revealed Motherwell had extended Ripley's loan from Middlesbrough, added: I didn't think we deserved to be 2-0 up at half-time, I didn't think we did enough.

I was a bit concerned that the disjointed training and routine we'd had with the game being off, having to train on astro-turf and Christmas days off was going to affect us and I thought it did.

We were off the pace a wee bit. We got a wee bit of luck.''

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright said: I thought the performance was good. Sometimes the better team loses and that was the case in this game. We had the better chances.

Late on when we were really going for it they had a couple of opportunities but I can't remember Alan Mannus having anything really difficult to do.

We gave away goals at bad times. It was a soft corner and we didn't deal with it. The turning point is when we broke away, Kano was a little indecisive and they go up the field and score.

It's always difficult to come back from 2-0 but I was pleased with them second half, we created numerous opportunities and the keeper had made saves.''