Motherwell 2-1 St Mirren: Hosts win first game since Steven Hammell sacking

Max Johnston was adamant he meant his wonder strike that gave managerless Motherwell a first win in 12 Scottish Premiership games as they edged out St Mirren at Fir Park.

Kevin van Veen struck early before Johnston squeezed in a stunning half-volley from an extremely narrow angle to give interim manager Stuart Kettlewell a successful start and end Motherwell's six-month wait for a home league victory.

Ryan Strain got one back for St Mirren but the hosts were not to be denied.

The long-awaited win in their first game since Steven Hammell's sacking eases Motherwell's relegation worries - they rise to ninth and now have a three-point cushion on bottom club Dundee United - while St Mirren stay sixth.

While some pundits queried if it was intended as a cross, Johnston said of his first memorable milestone goal: "Definitely I meant it. I didn't think there was anyone in the area so I just tried to hit the target.

"I'm just buzzing to get my first goal for Motherwell.

"It was really disappointing to see the old gaffer go. It's been a positive three days [with Kettlewell].

"The fans have stuck with us, they were excellent again tonight. We need to be on the front foot right from the start, come out firing, and we did that."

It is always intriguing to see how a squad reacts to the departure of a manager. Two goals in the first 19 minutes post-Hammell may have given vindication to Motherwell's decision to part with the club legend.

In truth, the majority of the game lacked quality, but Motherwell started far quicker and were clinical with two half-chances.

The first saw Van Veen slipped in on the right hand side by a nice Blair Spittal pass. He held off the challenge of the flat-footed Richard Taylor and nudged a shot across the face of goal that caught Trevor Carson out.

The second was far more spectacular. A long ball over the top was well controlled by young Johnston, who somehow looped a half-volley in at the back post.

St Mirren had been really poor up until that point, but found a goal through the hard work of Curtis Main. Battling down the left, he set up Tony Watt who sent in a low cross. Keanu Baccus fluffed his chance, but the ball felt kindly to Strain who slammed home from close range.

Stephen Robinson's side thought they had a late equaliser when a combination of Thierry Small and Greg Kiltie bundled the ball in at the back post, but referee John Beaton had already blown his whistle for a foul by Main in the build-up.

There were a few further chances, but it was a scrappy game. That won't matter to Motherwell, who showed plenty of heart to end their dismal run.

St Mirren were incredibly slow out the blocks, as they fell well below the standards they've set this season.

They lifted themselves in the second half, creating more, but there was no composure or flair at the top end of the pitch.

Motherwell wanted it more in the opening stages, making the most of lax defending and a rare mistake from Carson.

The boost to morale around Fir Park is invaluable, and the players will know that stringing together even a small run of victories will ease their worries significantly.

Interim Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "The character, the personality, getting through the hard yards. That was how we wanted to get the supporters on our side. That opening 10 minutes got the crowd behind us.

"The players have given themselves a chance, but they're going to need every ounce of what they gave out there tonight."

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson: "We aren't good enough to give anybody a 2-0 lead. We didn't do the things we're good at. We didn't deserve anything from the game.

"I remember an old manager telling me 'players don't mean to play poorly and have bad games'. There was no lack of effort or enthusiasm. We just lacked a bit of quality."

Motherwell host Hearts in the Premiership on Sunday (12:00 GMT), while St Mirren entertain Ross County on Saturday (15:00).