Despite the defeat, Brown's Motherwell are still third in the table

Craig Brown questioned the desire and belief of his Motherwell players after they slid from a one-goal half-time lead to a 4-1 Ibrox defeat by Rangers.

"I wonder about the resolve of some of the lads, whether they really felt they could win this match," said Brown.

"At half-time I said 'prove you can win it and show you are determined and that you have the conviction required here'.

"You need a winning mentality at Ibrox or Celtic Park. Unfortunately we seemed, for a spell, not to have that."

Nick Blackman's header just before referee Stephen Finnie blew for half-time gave the small band of claret and amber fans hope that their perfect away record in the Scottish Premier League could be preserved.

But a stunning response by Rangers in the opening 25 minutes of the second half put paid to that.

A Steven Naismith shot, Northern Irish midfielder Steven Davis's rocket, a header by Kenny Miller, and a neat goal by winger Vladimir Weiss gave the home side an unassailable lead.

"I felt the lads played well in the first half and for good parts of the second half were OK," was Brown's blunt assessment.

"The keeper (Darren Randolph) has not really had a save in the match but we have lost four goals.

"In the first half we did a competent job and came in a goal up.

"We warned our lads that they would have to be up for it in the second half and have conviction that they could win the game.

"Then we lost three goals in four minutes. It was quite a disaster in that period."

Motherwell had looked composed at the back, with Mark Reynolds, Stephen Craigan, Stevie Hammell and Tom Hateley well organised and alert to the danger of Scotland strikers Miller and Naismith.

As usual, the better team wins and today the better team did win the game Motherwell manager Craig Brown

And up front Jamie Murphy and Blackman gave the home defence a busy time, though efforts at Neil Alexander's goal were mostly off target.

Brown added: "Unfortunately Rangers scored very early in the second half. We were caught on the counter attack, which seems strange because were were the away team. The finishing was excellent.

"I thought Steve Davis's goal was outstanding. He finished in immaculate style. That really was the turning point, the second goal.

"As usual, the better team wins and today the better team did win the game.

"I think the scoreline flattered Rangers but we have to grin and bear it and wish Rangers all the best in midweek representing Scotland against Valencia."

Despite the defeat, Motherwell retain their third place in the SPL, two points ahead of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

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