Motherwell 2-1 Partick Thistle

An own goal put Motherwell ahead

Motherwell caretaker boss Stephen Craigan guided the Fir Park side to all three points in their first match since the sacking of Ian Baraclough.

Frederic Frans put through his own net to give Motherwell the lead following great wing play from Lionel Ainsworth.

Scott McDonald fired Well further ahead in the second half.

Thistle played well and David Amoo pulled a goal back but, although Steven Lawless twice hit the woodwork, they fell to a fifth straight defeat.

Craigan sent his side out in a 4-4-2 formation as he sought the points to help him land the post permanently, with McDonald and Louis Moult up front, and Stephen Pearson partnering Keith Lasley in central midfield.

Thistle had only Kris Doolan up front, supported by Robbie Muirhead, Sean Welsh and Steven Lawless.

An open start saw the hosts' Marvin Johnson have an early shot saved by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny.

Thistle responded with a long-range effort from Stuart Bannigan that was comfortably saved by Connor Ripley and a headed effort over the bar from Muirhead.

Stephen Craigan took over as caretaker after this week's sacking of Ian Baraclough

But it was the home side who took the lead thanks to the pace of Ainsworth, who raced into the box and saw his cross turned into his own net by defender Frans.

Lawless then sprung highest to make a header that Ripley did well to tip over the bar and the midfielder went even closer a minute later, striking a shot from 20 yards off the post.

The visitors were arguably playing the better football, but Motherwell should have gone 2-0 up early in the second half.

Again it was the pace of Ainsworth that left the Thistle defenders in his wake.

The winger got himself into a great position to score, but Cerny saved well with his legs.

Motherwell did double their lead midway through the second period when Ainsworth's cross found McDonald and the striker's header was saved by Cerny, but the ball fell to the feet of the Australian, who made no mistake.

With Thistle on the verge of going six games without a goal for the first time since 1921, the drought was ended by Amoo, who found the net following a corner.

Lawless then spun and fired in a shot from the edge of the box that cannoned off the post.

But Motherwell held on for a result that will do Craigan's chances of landing the job full-time no harm.