Clarkson (left) celebrates his opening goal for Motherwell
A first half strike from David Clarkson was enough to settle the Lanarkshire derby in Motherwell's favour.
Following a strong opening from Accies, Clarkson was on hand to shoot home from 12 yards after keeper Tomas Cerny had parried a Steven Hammell cross.
Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith made excellent saves to deny Kenny Deuchar and Alex Neil.
Accies skipper Neil also saw a volley fly narrowly wide as the visitors lost for the first time in seven games.
The home side held on - grimly at times - to extend their unbeaten run to nine games and edge them closer to a coveted top-six spot.
It was tough luck on Billy Reid's side who deserved at least a point for their efforts on the terrible Fir Park surface.
The visitors threatened first in the fourth minute when James McArthur's 25-yard drive was re-directed by the head of Deuchar, forcing Smith to change direction before brilliantly pushing the ball round the post.
From Neil's corner, Mark McLaughlin's header was again well saved by Smith before the referee Dougie McDonald blew for an infringement as Simon Mensing forced the ball over the line.
Moments later, Neil despatched a volley from 25 yards which cleared the far post by a matter of inches.
A slip from home skipper Stephen Craigan allowed James McCarthy in at the edge of the box but the highly-rated teenager snatched at the volley and the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Accies had been well on top but, in the final seconds of the half, they were undone when Hammell drove in to the Hamilton box and fired in a cross-shot which Cerny parried under pressure from Sheridan.
With the Accies defence in disarray, Clarkson was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.
After the interval, Smith was forced in to another fantastic save, this time from Neil's powerful volley from 14 yard out with Paul Quinn tidying up the loose ball.
From McCarthy's corner, the unmarked Deuchar headed over at the near post as the Accies stepped up their quest for the equaliser.
Accies survived what looked a strong penalty claim when Cerny clashed with Quinn inside the six-yard box. Referee Dougie McDonald had a good look but took no action.
Hamilton kept going until the end of the four minutes of added time but the home side held on to move three points clear of their local rivals.
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee: "I felt that over the piece either team could have won the game.
"But we won it and I think you can't deny that we did enough in the game to earn it.
"You score goals in different ways and you win games in different ways.
"We defended well enough when we were asked to, the keeper played well when he was asked to and we took our chance when it came.
"We had good chances, but thee games are going to be won by a single goal, probably, and we were fortunate today that we got it."
Hamilton manager Billy Reid: "The players are gutted. We've been on a fantastic run.
"I thought we were brilliant in the first half and controlled the game from the first minute to the 44th but conceded a goal in the 44th minute.
"I was gutted for the lads. After coming to Motherwell and dominating the first half, to go in a goal down was a kick in the teeth.
"We never really got going in the second half and they looked dangerous on the break.
"But I think we deserved to take something from the game.
"It was two teams battling hard on a tough surface."
Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Darren Smith (Fitzpatrick 82), Klimpl (Lasley 86), Hughes, O'Brien, Sheridan, Clarkson (Murphy 90). Subs Not Used: Krysiak, Malcolm, Sutton, McGarry.
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