Well celebrate safety with victory

Second-half goals from Lionel Ainsworth and Elliot Frear secured Motherwell’s top-flight status for a 33rd consecutive season.

Ainsworth netted with a brilliant free-kick from a tight angle before Frear scored on the breakaway to move Motherwell six points ahead of second-bottom Hamilton, who lost at Ross County.

Carl McHugh had given Well a lead inside a minute but Killie, playing with the freedom of a team who had already secured their Premiership safety, came back well and levelled through Adam Frizzell.

Hamilton were already a goal down in Dingwall by the time Motherwell kicked off and the mood around Fir Park was further lifted when Frear won a corner seconds later. The home players congregated beyond the back post but McHugh broke off towards the front and met Frear’s low delivery, sweeping it into the bottom corner.

The visitors levelled in the 17th minute. David Ferguson took the sting out of Jordan Jones’ cross but Keith Lasley mis-controlled and Frizzell fired a shot into the net.

Mother well boss Stephen Robinson made a bold move in the 38th minute, replacing Ferguson with Lionel Ainsworth, but Killie came close in the final minute of the half when Taylor curled a shot on to the top of the bar from 20 yards.

Motherwell regained the lead within eight minutes of the restart. As everyone waited for a cross from a free-kick, Ainsworth powered a swerving drive into the far corner.

Kilmarnock again recovered well as they began to dominate possession but the home tension eased as the fans celebrated County taking the lead in Dingwall.

Hamilton forced an equaliser in that game but there was breathing space for the hosts in the 78th minute when Frear rounded the keeper to net his first goal for the club.