7.45pm

Today's result: Motherwell 3, Falkirk 1.

Motherwell recorded a comfortable victory over Falkirk at Fir Park this afternoon.  A Scott McDonald goal had us 1-0 up at the interval, and further strikes from McDonald and Richie Foran in the second half made the points safe, even though the Bairns pulled a goal back through Cregg.

Jim Hamilton was back in the starting line-up in place of David Clarkson, while Phil O'Donnell was favoured ahead of Brian Kerr in midfield.  Colin Meldrum continued in goal with Graeme Smith still out injured.

The first half was poor stuff, although both sides had opportunities with neither defence looking particular impressive.  We took the lead after 31 mins when Falkirk goalkeeper Ferguson spilled Hamilton's volley and Scott McDonald took full advantage to slot home from close range. 

The second half was a far more entertaining affair, with several meaty challenges going in as the match threatened to boil over at times.  We doubled our lead shortly after the restart when McDonald curled the ball into the corner from just outside the box, and then after 53 mins Foran sent a spectacular shot into the far corner to make it 3-0.  The visitors pulled a goal back almost straight away when Cregg's shot went in off the post, with the referee allowing the goal to stand even though the linesman had already flagged, presumably for offside.  Falkirk pushed men forward but never really looked like getting back into the game, and Motherwell comfortably saw out time with Hammell going close to adding a fourth in the final minute.

Wasn't the best of performances today, but we still did enough to merit the three points.  The defence and in particular the goalkeeper didn't exactly convince at times, particularly in the first half, but on the plus side we always carried a threat going forward, and the second half goals from Skippy and Foran were beauties.  Best of all, both Aberdeen and ICT failed to win today to leave us just 1 point off a top six place.  Our trip to Pittodrie in a fortnight is shaping up to be crucial.

Team (4-4-2): Meldrum, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell, McBride (Kerr 60), McCormack, O'Donnell (Paterson 90), Foran, Scott McDonald (Clarkson 87), Hamilton. 
Subs Not Used: Martin, McGarry, Kinniburgh, Reynolds.

Booked: McBride, McCormack.

Motherwell scorers: McDonald (31, 46), Foran (53).

Attendance: 8,179.

TB's post-match comments were as follows:
"We said before it isn't how we play now it's whether we pick up the points.  It was always going to be a tense game, the pitch isn't conducive to free-flowing football. So it was never a spectacle but we scored some wonderful goals.  But Falkirk certainly pressed us and it was panic stations at times, not clearing our lines and not getting the ball up to our strikers.  Fair play to Falkirk, they had opportunities but we've had a lot of bad fortune so today was little bit of payback."

With the game threatening to get out of hand in the second half, TB added:
"I'm screaming for them to calm down I'm but I'm screaming like a lunatic, so what can I say.  At 3-0 we should be closing the game down. But I'm delighted, we've worked very hard and scrapped away and got a very important three points."

In today's Sun, Stevie Hammell says he hasn't ruled out staying at Motherwell.  No contact discussions have taken place yet, although TB says Hammy will definitely be offered a new deal before the end of the season.

Scott Leitch returned to action when he played for 62 minutes of the reserves' 2-1 defeat away to Inverness in midweek.  The 'Well captain has been out since picking up an Achilles injury on the opening day of the season and has underwent three operations.  'Well assistant boss Maurice Malpas said:
"It was great to get him back and he suffered no immediate reaction.  We had planned to give him a half, but he was going so well we gave him an extra 15 minutes." 

Our goal came from a Steve McGarry penalty.

Brian Kerr and Stevie Hammell have been named in the Scotland Future squad for the match with Turkey at Inverness next week.

Ricky's report of last week's match at Inverness is finally available.  Sincere apologies for the delay!