Robinson blasts Motherwell players as Whitehall makes difference for Kilmarnock
Mother well manager Stephen Robinson blasted his players after their winless run extended to games in all competitions, and said that some of his signings “haven't turned up yet”.
Alex Dyer's changes proved effective as his Kilmarnock side ended a five -match losing streak with victor y over 10- man Mother well at Fir Park.
Dyer was the recipient of a letter containing racist abuse, which is being investigated by police, in the wake of Saturday's defeat by Livingston, which was Kilmarnock' s eighth in nine league matches.
The Kilmarnock manager freshened up his attacking personnel by bringing in Danny Whitehall, Mitch Pinnock and Greg Kiltie and the three of them combined for Kiltie to net the opener four minutes before half-time.
Whitehall then netted his first Premiership goal from the spot in the 53rd minute after Mark O'hara had been sent off for bringing him down.
There was no way back for Motherwell, who are now just two points above Hamilton.
"We look like we've lost confidence completely,” said Robinson. "We had chances, but didn't take them. As soon as we go 1-0 down we didn't look like we were going to get back into the game. The penalty and the red card change what you're trying to do. They could' ve scored more to be honest.
"It simply wasn' t good enough. The players who we've signed or brought back to the club haven't turned up yet. I'm looking at a squad of maybe seven or eight players who are fighting and scrap - ping for the football club - and some haven't performed.
"But ultimately, it's my fault. I take the blame, it's my team. It' s me who has to look at myself in the mirror - and it hasn't been good enough."
There was more miser y for Robinson when Mother well goal keeper Trevor Carson went off with a knee injury in his first home game since returning from knee surgery.
Kil lie went ahead when White hall played the ball inside from the left flank and Pin no ck laid it off toKil tie, who guided the ball inside the post from just outside the box. White hall’ s penalty sealed the points.
Motherwell: Carson (Chapman 65), O'hara, Gallagher, Lamie, O'donnell, Polworth, R Crawford (Lang 64), Campbell, Grimshaw (Carroll 64), Cole (White 71), Watt. Subs not used: Hastie, Maguire, Mugabi, Seedorf, Cornelius.
Kilmarnock: Rogers, Mcgowan, Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters (Haunstrup 60), Power, Tshibola (Mulumbu 76), Pinnock, Kiltie, Mckenzie (Burke 89), Whitehall (Kabamba 76). Subs not used: Dikamona, Brophy, Doyle, Taylor.
Referee: John Beaton