Motherwell gained the bragging rights in the Lanarkshire derby

By Andy Campbell

Motherwell triumphed in the Lanarkshire derby to compound Hamilton Accies' relegation fears.

John Sutton won the home side a penalty and converted it himself nine minutes ahead of the interval.

Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny kept the visitors in the match with saves to deny efforts by Francis Jeffers, Jamie Murphy and Ross Forbes.

But Jim McAlister could not find the net when presented with Accies' best chance, the winger heading over.

Scottish Premier League bottom club Accies remain five points adrift of St Mirren, who host Hibernian on Sunday, while the Steelmen move to within two points of fourth-place Kilmarnock.

Hamilton started brightly and Flavio Paixao's shot required a save from Darren Randolph.

McAlister, who had earlier had a shot charged down but the Motherwell defence, crossed for Jon Routledge but the midfielder could not keep his header down after making an intelligent run into the box.

The focus of play switched to the visiting goal as Gavin Gunning played an excellent one-two with Ross Forbes and crossed low towards John Sutton, whose outstretched foot could not make a scoring connection.

Set pieces by Tom Hateley caused Hamilton problems, a dangerous free-kick into the near post area diverted out by David Elebert before a corner kick was headed wide by Gunning.

Another sweeping free-kick, this time delivered by Forbes, was headed powerfully towards goal by Francis Jeffers but the striker was denied by Tomas Cerny's superb save.

Sutton scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot

Motherwell were given the chance to go in front when Sutton chased Lasley's cross into the box and was pulled back by Martin Canning, who was promptly booked.

Sutton coolly slotted home to Cerny's left as the keeper went dived to his right.

The home side were well in command and Jamie Murphy's stinging low drive was gathered at the second attempt by Cerny.

Cerny came to Accies' rescue again when Forbes's quickly taken free-kick swerved towards goal.

Having fallen out of the game in the first half, Accies carved out an excellent chance to level just after the interval as Routledge's cross was headed over by McAlister, who should have done better.

Substitute Ali Crawford's free-kick caused uncertainty in the Motherwell defence and Mark McLaughlin stuck out a boot but could not direct his shot on target.

Motherwell looked to make sure of the three points and Sutton teed up Murphy for a shot but the forward did not get enough purchase on the shot, allowing Cerny to gather.

Murphy was in the thick of it again moments later as he rose to meet Chris Humphrey's cross and head the ball wide.

Humphrey, who had earlier replaced Jeffers, was causing Hamilton problems with his pace and, after a lung-bursting run down the right, the winger cut into the box only to blaze his shot over.

As Hamilton pressed for a leveller they were leaving themselves exposed to counter-attacks and Sutton curled a shot over in a Motherwell breakaway attack.

But one goal proved to be enough for the Steelmen.

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