Motherwell 1 - 0 Hamilton

Motherwell opened up a five-point lead over Hearts after a narrow win against their local rivals at Fir Park.  The home side had the better of the first half but it was Accies who almost took the lead through Marco Paixao's volley which was saved by John Ruddy.  Motherwell's Jim O'Brien was then denied by Accies 'keeper Tomas Cerny after a one-two with John Sutton early in the second half.  But Motherwell finally broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when Lukas Jutkiewicz scrambled the ball home after Stephen Craigan had headed down Tom Hateley's corner.

Accies battled in vain for a leveller and the visitors claimed unsuccessfully for a penalty following Stevie Hammell's challenge on substitute Flavio Paixao.  It was Motherwell's fifth successive clean sheet in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and Accies stay bottom after their ninth game without a win.

By cbfootball.co.uk   Last updated: 08 February 2010