Hamilton Academical 0-1 Motherwell

Louis Moult's header gave Motherwell a crucial win over Hamilton Academical and lifted them out of the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off spot.

Moult's looping header dropped beyond Remi Matthews just after the hour.

That came after Accies missed the best chance of the game, Alex D'Acol being denied by a Russell Griffiths save.

Motherwell edge three points clear of their Lanarkshire rivals, who remain four clear of bottom side Inverness with two games to play.

Derby fever

This had been described beforehand as the biggest ever Lanarkshire derby but, whatever the history, neither side needed a reminder of the importance.

It was little wonder then that any notion of pretty football made way for a stodgy and hard-fought battle.

In the early stages, the ball was continually bludgeoned from end to end. The football was scarce but the spirit was there for all to see and referee Kevin Clancy was forced to flash numerous yellow cards. Motherwell forward Scott McDonald received his for diving.

Craig Clay fired just wide for the visitors and Ali Crawford should have done better with a chance from 15 yards, but blasted high over the bar - nerves perhaps playing their part with both sets of players.

Forward struggle

Accies striker Alex D'Acol passed up a huge opportunity to score before Moult's opener

Neither of these sides have been particularly potent in front of goal in recent weeks and on this showing it was easy to see why.

The few through-balls that did find their target were followed by wayward efforts from strikers looking short of confidence.

D'Acol should have blasted the home side ahead 10 minutes after the break but his close-range volley was well blocked by Griffiths in the Motherwell goal.

The Well forwards were looking sluggish, too, and the impressive link-up play shown by McDonald and Moult earlier in the campaign was conspicuous by its absence.

Precious breakthrough

Moult has scored 17 times in all competitions this season and added to that tally midway through the second half.

Elliot Frear swung in a free-kick from the right and the ball might have struck Moult's shoulder rather than his head, but still looped high over Matthews.

It was a scrappy goal to match a scrappy game, but the wild celebrations in the packed away stand was evidence that the result was all that mattered.

When the full-time whistle sounded, the 2,312-strong visiting contingent erupted in celebration as the Hamilton players slumped to the ground spent.

It was a massive win that Motherwell probably deserved. The quality will be quickly forgotten but the scars of battle will take some time to heal.

Hamilton Academical manager Martin Canning: "I thought we were the better team, to be honest. It was always going to swing on something minor and if you can't defend your box, you're in trouble.

"The boys are working hard but you have to make sure you're hard to score against and right now that's not happening for us.

"Ross County on Tuesday is now a must-win game. I said to the players at the split we had to win two games from five. We now need to win two games from two. It's that simple."

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "When you lose it destroys your week and when you win it's just relief.

"It was always going to be a tough game and there's was nothing between the sides. It was a pure battle but I think we won the battle.

"To go with three points into Tuesday night (when Motherwell host Kilmarnock) gives us real belief. There's a commitment and belief that we can go on and take three points on Tuesday as well."