Motherwell 1-2 Hamilton Academical: Visitors record first away win this term

Hamilton Academical stunned Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell at Fir Park to clinch their maiden Scottish Premiership away win this season.

Christopher Long had the high-flying hosts ahead early on as they attempted to consolidate third spot.

However, a deserved second-half double from Aaron McGowan and David Moyo delivered Accies' first Lanarkshire derby win since August 2018.

Motherwell sit a point clear of Aberdeen as Hamilton stay 11th.

A bumper crowd at Fir Park witnessed a whirlwind start for the hosts, who easily could have been out of sight in the first 10 minutes.

However, Brian Rice's men dictated so much of the game, delivering three points that opens up a five-point gap over bottom-placed Hearts.

• Reaction & as it happened

Possessed Accies rip up the script

This just wasn't in the script. Hamilton made the short trip across Strathclyde Park to their North Lanarkshire neighbours in pretty dire form.

One win in their last 13 summed up the last three months for Rice's team, and even that victory came against bottom side Hearts. In contrast, Stephen Robinson's hosts were guaranteed to finish the year third, the force of five wins from their last six blowing them into Europa League contention.

The first 10 minutes flew by in a blur. Around 6000 Motherwell fans crammed in for this one, with many still outside when Liam Polworth's deflected shot skiffed the far post in the first minute. He would go close again soon after in an early blitz.

Five minutes were on the clock when the breakthrough came. A solo effort from Long began at the corner flag. With his back to goal and Sam Stubbs tailing him, the former Everton man spun his man, drove into the box and slashed a low shot across goal and in off the far post. Fir Park erupted in appreciation.

The home crowd were brought to their feet again on 10 minutes, this time in tribute to late captain Phil O'Donnell, who collapsed on the Fir Park pitch 12 years ago to the day and later died.

Motherwell fans honoured late captain Phil O'Donnell, who passed away in 2007

As an attacking force, Motherwell pretty much peaked there. Barring a Long header that whistled just by the near post, the hosts seemed spooked by the tenacity of an opponent fighting for their lives at the foot of the table, the early blow almost rousing Rice's men in a call to action.

After the break, they were inspired. Motherwell dropped further and further back and when captain Peter Hartley was thrown on to form a back three, it was almost as if Motherwell were attempting to hold on to the narrow lead they had. Within three minutes that advantage vanished.

McGowan tried his luck from the edge of the area with a packed box in front of him. Substitute Hartley went to block, but turned his back on the shot. It cannoned off the inside of his leg, wrong-footing Mark Gillespie in the Motherwell goal for a deserved equaliser.

Hamilton were a team possessed now, and just nine minutes later Moyo scored the winner. He outjumped Declan Gallagher at the back post before sending a thumping header into the net.

He then saluted the small pocket of Hamilton fans housed in the vast Fir Park away stand, celebrating a deserved and rare away win.

Man of the match - David Moyo

The Zimbabwean characterised this entire Accies performance. The 25-year-old was a constant pest for the Motherwell defence and arguably could have done better when an early chance broke his way not long after his team fell 1-0 behind.

However, he was tormentor-in-chief during an inspired second half that had Motherwell on the back foot for its entirety. His stunning header the reward he and his team-mates deserved. It has taken the former St Albans man 13 games to get his first goal. He won't forget it in a hurry.

'It's a lesson for us' - reaction

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "We didn't do the basics. If you don't do that you didn't win football matches. We didn't deserve anything from the game today.

"I have to give credit to Accies. They won every single header and second ball so we had to try something. It didn't work. I take full responsibility. I can't be too hard on them but it's certainly a lesson for us."

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "I'm delighted for everyone; to win the last match of the decade against your local rivals in the way we did, I'm thrilled.

"I'll maybe look at bringing in one or two players. No more than that. It was a new squad in the summer and I'm still gelling them together after a lot injuries."