Hibs did not get many chances against a stubborn Motherwell

Manager Craig Brown was delighted Motherwell continued their impressive record of shut-outs against Hibernian but insists his side are not defensive.

"We're doing very well in the goals against column and I think the players would tell you that we don't go out to play a defensive game," said Brown.

"It's not an accident that we keep clean sheets.

"We work on it and I think the boys deserve the clean sheets because of the work ethic and the effort they put in."

The Steelmen have lost only two Scottish Premier League goals since Brown took over from Jim Gannon in late December and this has been the catalyst for an unbeaten run of eight league games.

"We hope we're organised and we've got good provision at the back with a good back four and a good goalkeeper," said former Scotland manager Brown.

"The lads in the midfield and at the front know that they've to defend when the other team has the ball.

"It's not new to me. In my first two campaigns with Scotland, we had 20 qualifying games and we lost five goals and we didn't play defensively.

"I think there is a reasonable amount of determination in the squad, there's a good winning mentality at the moment.

"That'll be tested when we lose a game, which of course is inevitable. Hopefully it'll not be for a while but when we lose a game, then we'll test the real Motherwell, can they come back from defeat?"

Jamie Murphy scored the game's only goal at Fir Park to consign Hibs to a third straight loss.

"I'm delighted to see Jamie score the goal because he's a lovely guy and he's a hard-working player," Brown said.

"He listens and he tries to do what he's told and I'm very pleased that Billy Stark's picked him in the Scotland Under-21 team.

With the results we're getting, it makes it hard to leave anyone out Motherwell manager Craig Brown

"I'm just disappointed for the other lad that we have, Ross Forbes, who is on the bench at the moment. Ross is a very fine player as well but he hasn't managed to make the Under-21 squad and I respect Billy's decision in that.

"He didn't make our squad today but, as I said to the players, we have a very strong and a young bench, all desperate to play. With the results we're getting, it makes it hard to leave anyone out so they've got to be patient."

Hibs played most of the match with 10 men following Liam Miller's first-half sending off for a foul on Jim O'Brien, who was booked for his angry reaction.

And Brown felt playing a man light made John Hughes' side harder to break down.

"It definitely makes it more difficult," added Brown.

"We were down to 10 at Falkirk some weeks ago. We had to play the entire second half a man short and I felt that we stuck together better and showed great determination.

"I thought Hibs did the same. They were a bit unfortunate, although I'm sure big John would agree that the better team won the game.

"I'm told it was quite a violent tackle but I haven't seen the tackle. I was just praying and hoping that Jim O'Brien's retaliation didn't get him in trouble. He lifted his hands but I think it was a push in the chest, I'm told."

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