Highlights - Motherwell 2-0 Hibernian

By Andy Campbell

Motherwell claimed their first league win under new manager Stuart McCall with a comfortable home win against struggling Hibernian.

Headers from Jamie Murphy and Steven Saunders put the hosts in command in the opening 25 minutes.

Hibs playmaker Merouane Zemmama missed a penalty just before half-time after Saunders's handball in the box.

Zemmama and substitute Derek Riordan had chances for Hibs after the break but neither could find the net.

Hibs slip to second-bottom of the table, three points clear of Hamilton, who have played a game less. Motherwell consolidate sixth place.

The home side, looking to arrest a run of four league games without a goal, threatened in the second minute when a long throw-in was nodded on by Murphy to Sutton, who could not get enough purchase on the shot, allowing goalkeeper Graeme Smith to gather.

Hibs, reeling after Wednesday's Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Second Division Ayr United and without a win since their last meeting with Motherwell in November, had a couple of shots from outside the box but John Rankin's free-kick and Kevin McBride's effort were off target.

Tempers flared when Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan caught Danny Galbraith but referee Alan Muir calmed both sets of players down without producing a card.

The Steelmen went ahead on 20 minutes when Steven Hammell's free-kick swung over the defensive wall and was nudged on by the head of Murphy into the net, with the ball bouncing past keeper Smith.

And it was from another Hammell delivery four minutes later that Motherwell extended their lead as Saunders bulleted home at the near-post.

The visitors were now facing an uphill task but could not take advantage of a dreadful slip by Craigan on the half-hour mark.

Motherwell's captain was caught dithering on the ball and was robbed by Merouane Zemmama but as the Moroccan worked his way towards goal he took too long to get his shot away and Craigan atoned for his slip by getting a foot in to make the clearance.

And the midfielder passed up an even better chance in the closing minutes of the first half after Saunders was penalised for handling in the box as he tried to defend Galbraith's chipped cross.

Zemmama blazed his penalty kick over just before the break

Zemmama took the responsibility from 12 yards but blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Hibs manager Colin Calderwood introduced striker Colin Nish at the start of the second half as Darryl Duffy was withdrawn.

But attention was quickly drawn to the touchline area when Calderwood's assistant Derek Adams was sent to the stand by referee Muir.

Back on the pitch, Zemmama spun in the left corner of the Motherwell box and volleyed towards the near post forcing Randolph to make the block.

Zemmama's frustration continued when his free-kick did not trouble the Motherwell keeper.

Motherwell debutant Steve Jones, signed this week from Walsall on loan, was given a warm applause by the home side as he was replaced by Jonathan Page.

Derek Riordan, surprisingly left on the bench, came on for Rankin and his first touch was a free kick, which was on target but straight into the arms of Randolph.

Galbraith controlled well and shot wide from distance before another excellent Hammell free-kick was touched onto the post by Saunders, with the offside flag already having been raised against Motherwell.

Riordan had another free-kick chance in the closing stages and his effort, a curling shot, was again collected by Randolph.

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