Hamilton Accies off bottom as Keith Lasley's promises changes as Motherwell caretaker

Keith Lasley hinted that not enough Motherwell players "feel passionately about the club" as they suffered derby defeat by Hamilton Academical in his first game as caretaker manager.

He promised changes to his squad during January after Accies leapfrogged his side and off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership with a 3-0 win.

Lasley took over after Stephen Robinson resigned in midweek.

"I was already looking at targets with Stephen," the interim boss said.

"There was a need to freshen things up, no doubt about that. At the same time, there's still boys in there that I really believe in and really know that they've got this club at heart - and still some good players in there."

Goals from Lee Hodson, Ross Callachan and Callum Smith secured Accies' first win in four outings - and first in five at home to their neighbours.

A sobering day for Lasley and his side leaves Motherwell without a victory in 10 games and only goal difference keeps them above bottom club Ross County.

• Reaction & as it happened

It is a result that will do little for Lasley's chances of keeping the job permanently, reports having suggested he had been given four games to prove himself.

Considering Tony Watt is Motherwell's top scorer in the league this season with only three goals, it is clear where the Fir Park side are most lacking.

Accies had themselves gone into this game without scoring in three consecutive home defeats, so odds were against a goal fest.

You can, however, add goalkeeping to the headaches facing Lasley as Aaron Chapman produced a shaky display in place of the injured Trevor Carson.

The former Peterborough United 30-year-old did get down well to touch wide an early low drive from Hodson.

However, when the former Rangers and St Mirren full-back was given an almost identical sight at goal minutes later, it slipped under Chapman's body.

The English goalkeeper almost sold a second goal when he flapped at a cross on the edge of his penalty box, but forward Andy Winter lashed high and wide with the goal at his mercy.

Motherwell had the better of the chances and possession thereafter, but goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay dealt comfortably with what few efforts the visitors were able to aim his way.

Callachan's return to Accies' starting line-up proved significant as he side-footed in David Mayo's low cross, then set up Smith for a header off the inside of the far post to secure a second Lanarkshire derby in a row.

Man of the match - Ross Callachan

Hamilton midfielder Ross Callachan made a fine return form injury, scoring one and setting up another

What did we learn?

Accies will hope they have turned the corner after following up their midweek draw at St Johnstone by ending a run of three games without a win or a goal. It was achieved despite having lost captain Brian Easton to injury early on but by displaying the fighting qualities for which Brian Rice has been calling.

Motherwell counterpart Lasley already knew changes in personnel would be required in January and that belief will only have been confirmed by a display lacking the fight he displayed as a player.

They have plenty of strikers and, with 22-year-old Peter Morrison recalled from his loan from Falkirk, have the bodies to cover for the injured Carson in goal, but the problems are plain to see at both ends of the pitch.

What did they say?

Hamilton Academical head coach Brian Rice: "Scoring three goals and keeping a clean sheet, I can't think of anything better. I took the shackles off one or two of them today, asking them to get forward a bit more. Everyone played their part, everyone did their job to the best of their ability."

Motherwell caretaker manager Keith Lasley: "That was a poor afternoon. I asked for personality from the players to represent this football club and that was as far removed from representing this club as could be. When the chips are down, we've not been able to respond and that's probably been the story for us all season."

What next?

Both sides face away games on Saturday (15:00 GMT), with Hamilton looking to extend their unbeaten run to three games against Kilmarnock and Motherwell up against in-form St Mirren.