Well strenghten grip on third

Motherwell strengthened their grip on third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 2-1 win against Inverness.

First-half goals from Alan Gow and Nicholas Blackman secured the win at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, despite a late fightback from the hosts who reduced their

arrears through Stuart Duff.

Motherwell brought in striker John Sutton for midfielder Ross Forbes in their only change to the side which lost 1-0 at home to Hamilton last weekend.

Both sides showed attacking intent in the opening stages and Nick Ross might have opened the scoring for Inverness after just three minutes, but his low shot from the edge of the box went inches wide.

At the other end we had chances with Esson saving from Sutton, Craigan and Blackman before he made a great save from a Hateley free kick from 25 yards.

The keeper was finally beaten when Gow netted from close range with a header following a goalmouth scramble after Humphrey's clever short corner with Hateley.

Blackman doubled the lead on 43 minutes when his shot from 30 yards took a wicked deflection off defender Grant Munro and looped over a stranded Esson into the net.

Blackman squandered the opportunity to extend Motherwell's lead after the break when he latched onto a Steven Jennings through ball. With support either side and attackers outnumbering defenders, the on-loan Blackburn striker lifted his shot over the bar.

Gow could have had his second just after the hour but directed his header wide when he connected with a Jennings cross.

Inverness finally broke through Well's rearguard when Duff's 25-yard drive on 74 minutes found the bottom corner after Rooney's lay-off.

Inverness substitute Shane Sutherland shot just wide from distance after beating Craigan as the hosts hunted for an equaliser in the closing stages.

Teams

Inverness CT Esson, McCann, Munro, Tokely, Shinnie, Hayes, Foran (Sutherland 69), Duff, Ross, Odhiambo (Morrison 52), Rooney.

Subs Not Used: Tuffey, Golabek, Cox, McBain, Sanchez.

Goals: Duff 75.

Motherwell Randolph, Saunders, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Hateley, Humphrey, Jennings, Sutton (Fitzpatrick 77), Blackman (Murphy 73), Gow (Forbes 84).

Subs Not Used: Hollis, McHugh, Hutchinson, Page.

Goals: Gow 33, Blackman 43.

Att: 4,054