The early stages saw both teams stuggle to find any form with too many passes going astray. That was until the 20th minute when Wotherspoon of Hibs charged down the right and his cross picked out Anthony Stokes but he fluffed the chance from 8 yards out.

John Ruddy kept us in it with two great saves, one from John Rankin whose swerving shot appeared to be bending into the top corner of the net, and then he tipped a chip from Riordan over the bar.

Hibs finally took the lead on 41 minutes when Riordan picked out Stokes, who looked suspiciously offside. The former Falkirk man kept his cool and slid the pall under the advancing Ruddy.

Bizarrely Well could've been level at half time but Ma-Kalambay turned Saunders close range header over the bar from a well flighted Hateley free kick.

Gannon made two changes at half time to try to turn things round but they fell furhter behind when a shot from Stokes was deflected past Ruddy.

With 22 minutes gone in the second half Well should've been back in the game when Murphy was tripped in the box by Bamba but somehow ref Brines found it possible to book the striker for diving!

After that there was no way back for Motherwell who on the day were well beaten in front of 490 souls who travelled east, in fact they were lucky not to see their team beaten by more.

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Motherwell Poll