Accies hovering over drop zone
unlucky not to be awarded a spot-kick when Alex Gogic bundled him off the ball right in front of referee Craig Thomson.
The official infuriated the aggrieved striker by waving play on.
Given their early superiority, it came as a shock when Motherwell fell behind in Accies’ first venture upfield.
Dougie Imrie’s cross was missed by Rakish Bingham, but Ionnas Skondras charged into the box to drill a shot high behind Trevor Carson.
The goal boosted the hosts and Carson did well to keep out a rasper from Bingham before Well got back on track.
Skondras sclaffed a through ball into the path of Andrew Rose and there was no saving his full-blooded drive from 15 yards.
Dodgy defending cost Accies again just after the break when Peter Hartley was left unmarked to force home a Chris Cadden free-kick from six yards.
Both sides had chances after that.
Argentinian striker Antonio Raul Rojano came on for Skondras and set up Steven Boyd for a crack at goal, only for the youngster to swing and miss the ball completely.
At the other end, Ryan Bowman couldn’t believe he failed to hit the target with a free header from two yards after Elliott Frear picked him out with a cross.
Motherwell boss Steven Robinson was pleased with his side’s display ahead of the League Cup last-four clash against Rangers at Hampden a week today.
“Now we can concentrate on the semi-final and we have a big chance of getting to the final,” said the former Oldham gaffer.
“I watched the Rangers game (which they won 3-0 against St Johnstone) on Friday night and we are going into the game with confidence, as they will be, too.
“We’re looking forward to it, but all the expectation is on them.”