Chris Porter headed a hat-trick in Motherwell's victory over Inverness
Motherwell striker Chris Porter scored a hat-trick to ease the pressure on Mark McGhee's side and secure victory over troubled Inverness.
Porter converted Steven Hammell's cross in the eighth minute and headed home Paul Quinn's centre for the Steelmen just before the break.
Inverness midfielder Ross Tokely pulled one back after Well goalkeeper Graeme Smith failed to collect a cross.
Porter headed a third before Adam Rooney's late consolation.
The Motherwell players formed a huddle before kick-off to remember late captain Phil O'Donnell, who died after collapsing during the 5-3 win over Dundee United on 29 December last year.
Not unlike the Old Firm derby earlier in the day, the Fir Park pitch was treacherous with the players struggling to keep their footing on the frost-hit surface.
Porter settled early Motherwell nerves with a superb header after eight minutes when he rose to head home Hammell's cross.
The striker then added his and Well's second when he converted Quinn's inviting centre.
But Inverness were given a glimmer of hope on the stroke of half-time when Tokely headed into the net after Smith failed to claim the ball from a deep cross.
Inverness pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but Porter sealed his hat-trick and victory when he rose unchallenged to head home Hammell's centre with the Inverness defence all at sea.
After 78 minutes, the Motherwell fans unfurled a banner for the late O'Donnell and gave their former captain a standing ovation.
Inverness pulled another goal back after Stephen Craigan conceded a penalty for a foul on Rooney.
Rooney saw his penalty saved, but he headed home the rebound, although Motherwell held on to secure maximum points.
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:
"We had more or less our full squad to choose from today. If we'd have lost at home against the bottom team we'd have been worried.
"I think today's performance and result supports my arguments over the past few weeks.
"I picked the team today rather than it picking itself. With competition for places everyone has upped their game."
Inverness manager Craig Brewster:
"We tried to frustrate Motherwell and hit them on the counter but everything just collapsed.
"Your gameplan kind of goes out of the window and we're clearly not good enough at marking.
"You don't want to see your team at the bottom of the table. We've got to stick together - simple as that."
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