Hibernian won to move up to second in the league as Motherwell endured a miserable night at Fir Park.

David Wotherspoon's superb strike gave Hibs the lead on 19 minutes.

Steven Hammell's header crossed the line before Hibs goalkeeper Ben Williams was able to claw the ball away but no goal was awarded.

Leigh Griffiths converted penalties either side of Michael Higdon's missed spot-kick for the hosts and Danny Handling netted Hibs' fourth late on.

Pat Fenlon's side now trail leaders Celtic by two points while the Steelmen remain sixth ahead of five more top-flight fixtures on Saturday.

Jamie Murphy should have given Motherwell the lead early on after being teed up in the six-yard box by Henrik Ojamaa, Williams using his foot to block the shot.

Hibs began to threaten and Wotherspoon attempted to backheel a low driven cross by Griffiths into the net but the ball trickled wide.

Griffiths danced away from Fraser Kerr and drilled a low shot across the face of goal moments later.

Hibernian player Danny Handling

Handling rounded off the scoring with his first goal for Hibs

And Hibs took the lead when Eoin Doyle and Paul Cairney combined to set up Wotherspoon 19 yards out and the midfielder powerfully swept the ball past Darren Randolph.

The hosts tried to respond and Chris Humphrey's cross was met by Hammell at the back post.

Williams scooped the downward header away and play continued amid protests from the home side, with television replays showing the ball had crossed the line.

Murphy tested Williams with a fierce drive and Higdon should have done better than fire over from Ojamaa's cutback before the break.

Griffiths missed his kick after latching on to Cairney's long ball early in the second half but the striker soon found the net from the spot.

Randolph was adjudged to have fouled Griffiths after closing the striker down and the keeper was booked before being well beaten by the sweetly-struck penalty.

Motherwell soon had an excellent chance to halve their deficit when James McPake was penalised for climbing all over Higdon.

But the Fir Park side's top scorer lifted his effort over the crossbar and the Motherwell fans' agony continued with the award of a second Hibs penalty.

Wotherspoon appeared to be fouled by Hammell just outside of the box but referee Stevie O'Reilly again pointed to the spot.

And Griffiths confidently beat Randolph again with a strike similar to his first.

O'Reilly made way for fourth official Iain Brines after picking up an injury and Wotherspoon set up Handling to finish with a low left-foot shot in injury time - the substitute's first goal for the club.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph Booked
  • 03 Hammell
  • 15 Ramsden
  • 19 Kerr
  • 04 Law (Carswell - 86' )
  • 06 Hateley
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 14 Lasley
  • 08 Ojamaa (Daley - 67' Booked )
  • 09 Higdon (McHugh - 78' )
  • 11 Murphy

Substitutes

  • 12 Hollis
  • 26 Francis-Angol
  • 30 Cummins
  • 17 Daley
  • 18 Carswell
  • 27 Hetherington
  • 16 McHugh

Hibernian

  • 01 Williams
  • 02 Clancy (Maybury - 67' )
  • 03 McGivern
  • 04 Hanlon
  • 06 McPake Booked
  • 08 Claros
  • 11 Cairney Booked (Handling - 90' )
  • 14 Wotherspoon
  • 20 Taiwo Booked
  • 09 Griffiths (Stevenson - 87' )
  • 10 Doyle

Substitutes

  • 31 Murdoch
  • 18 Maybury
  • 16 Stevenson
  • 26 Stanton
  • 33 Harris
  • 24 Handling
  • 32 Kuqi
Ref: O'Reilly
Att: 5,301

Match Stats

Shots

14 7

On target

7 4

Corners

7 5

Fouls

13 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +7:28 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +6:00

Assist (pass) by David Wotherspoon (Hibernian) from right side of penalty area.

90:00 +6:00 Goal scored

Goal - Danny Handling - Motherwell 0 - 4 Hibernian Goal by Danny Handling (Hibernian) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (6 yards).Motherwell 0-4 Hibernian.

90:00 +4:22

Attacking throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

90:00 +3:53

Defending throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

90:00 +3:31

Defending throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

90:00 +2:34

Attacking throw-in by Alan Maybury (Hibernian).

90:00 +2:34 Substitution

Substitution Hibernian substitution: Paul Cairney replaced by Danny Handling (tactical).

90:00 +2:26

Attacking throw-in by Alan Maybury (Hibernian).

90:00 +0:14

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell). Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

89:45

Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

89:23

Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

88:54

Paul Cairney (Hibernian) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

88:00

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by David Wotherspoon (Hibernian) to far post, resulting in open play.

86:45

Free kick taken right-footed by Ben Williams (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

86:45 Substitution

Substitution Hibernian substitution: Leigh Griffiths replaced by Lewis Stevenson (tactical).

86:40

Handball by Robert McHugh (Motherwell).

85:40

Defending throw-in by Alan Maybury (Hibernian).

85:06

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

85:06 Substitution

Substitution Motherwell substitution: Nicky Law replaced by Stewart Carswell (tactical).

84:54

Shot by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) curled left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.

84:15

Defending throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

83:07

Shot by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Darren Randolph (Motherwell). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) to far post, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

82:27

Outswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to far post, clearance by James McPake (Hibernian).

81:56

Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

81:39

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

77:34 Substitution

Substitution Motherwell substitution: Michael Higdon replaced by Robert McHugh (tactical).

66:05 Substitution

Substitution Alan Maybury is brought on as a substitute for Tim Clancy.

66:05 Substitution

Substitution Omar Daley joins the action as a substitute, replacing Henrik Ojamaa.

75:32

Shot by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

74:51

Shot by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

73:14 Goal scored

Goal - Leigh Griffiths - Motherwell 0 - 3 Hibernian Power penalty taken left-footed by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) (bottom-right of goal), scored.Motherwell 0-3 Hibernian.

72:27 Booking

Booking Omar Daley (Motherwell) booked for dissent.

72:09

Foul by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell) on David Wotherspoon (Hibernian).

70:23 Penalty

Power penalty taken right-footed by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) (over the bar), missed.

70:23 Booking

Booking James McPake (Hibernian) booked for unsporting behaviour.

70:08

Foul by James McPake (Hibernian) on Michael Higdon (Motherwell).

69:37

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to far post, clearance by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

69:36

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to far post, resulting in open play.

69:21

Shot by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

68:38

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) to far post, clearance by Michael Higdon (Motherwell).

68:00

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to far post, clearance by James McPake (Hibernian).

66:05 Substitution

Substitution Hibernian substitution: Tim Clancy replaced by Alan Maybury (tactical).

66:05 Substitution

Substitution Motherwell substitution: Henrik Ojamaa replaced by Omar Daley (injury).

64:23

Foul by Nicky Law (Motherwell) on Tom Taiwo (Hibernian). Free kick taken left-footed by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

63:04 Goal scored

Goal - Leigh Griffiths - Motherwell 0 - 2 Hibernian Power penalty taken left-footed by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) (bottom-right of goal), scored.Motherwell 0-2 Hibernian.

62:03 Booking

Booking Darren Randolph (Motherwell) booked for unsporting behaviour.

61:52

Foul by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) on Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian).

61:18

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) on Simon Ramsden (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Simon Ramsden (Motherwell) from own half, passed.

60:46

Cross by Jamie Murphy (Motherwell), shot by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

59:48

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

59:28

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

59:13

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

58:37

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

58:03

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

56:15

Foul by Tim Clancy (Hibernian) on Michael Higdon (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Keith Lasley (Motherwell) from left channel, passed. Shot by Nicky Law (Motherwell) curled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

54:59

Attacking throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

54:42

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Hibernian).

53:08

Defending throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

52:26

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Hibernian). Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Hibernian).

51:50

Foul by Henrik Ojamaa (Motherwell) on David Wotherspoon (Hibernian). Free kick taken right-footed by Ben Williams (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

51:07

Shot by Eoin Doyle (Hibernian) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell). Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

50:23

Shot by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian). Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

49:16

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

48:34

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

47:40

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

46:50

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Hibernian).

46:08

Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

45:23

Attacking throw-in by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell).

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

39:30 Booking

Booking Paul Cairney is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

45:00 +1:04 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +0:02

Foul by Henrik Ojamaa (Motherwell) on James McPake (Hibernian). Free kick taken right-footed by Ben Williams (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

43:43

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by David Wotherspoon (Hibernian) to near post, clearance by Nicky Law (Motherwell).

43:19

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

41:57

Foul by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) on Chris Humphrey (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) from right wing, resulting in open play.

39:30

Nicky Law takes the indirect free kick.

39:21

Unfair challenge on Nicky Law by Paul Cairney results in a free kick.

41:09

Foul by Henrik Ojamaa (Motherwell) on Tim Clancy (Hibernian). Free kick taken right-footed by Ben Williams (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

40:34

Shot by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) right-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

39:30

Free kick taken right-footed by Nicky Law (Motherwell) from own half, passed.

39:30 Booking

Booking Paul Cairney (Hibernian) booked for unsporting behaviour.

39:21

Foul by Paul Cairney (Hibernian) on Nicky Law (Motherwell).

38:06

Nicky Law takes the free kick.

38:06 Booking

Booking Booking for Tom Taiwo for unsporting behaviour.

37:45

Foul by Tom Taiwo (Hibernian) on Nicky Law (Motherwell). Free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Law (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

36:23

Shot by Jamie Murphy (Motherwell) curled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

35:00

Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

34:39

Attacking throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

33:15

Cross by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell), header by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (parried) by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

32:00

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

31:36

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

30:01

Foul by James McPake (Hibernian) on Michael Higdon (Motherwell). Free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Law (Motherwell) from left channel, passed.

29:26

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

28:48

David Wotherspoon (Hibernian) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

27:02

Assist (pass) by Paul Cairney (Hibernian) from left channel.

27:02 Goal scored

Goal - David Wotherspoon - Motherwell 0 - 1 Hibernian Goal by David Wotherspoon (Hibernian) drilled right-footed (top-left of goal) from right channel (20 yards).Motherwell 0-1 Hibernian.

25:45

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Hibernian).

25:19

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

23:35

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

22:54

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

22:38

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

21:29

Shot by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian). Shot by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Tom Taiwo (Hibernian). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to near post, clearance by David Wotherspoon (Hibernian).

20:41

Shot by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) right-footed from right side of penalty area (6 yards), blocked by James McPake (Hibernian). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to near post, clearance by James McPake (Hibernian).

19:46

Foul by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) on Tim Clancy (Hibernian). Free kick taken right-footed by Ben Williams (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

17:11

Attacking throw-in by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

16:35

Shot by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) left-footed from left wing (25 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

15:09

Foul by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) on Jorge Claros (Hibernian). Free kick taken left-footed by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

14:35

Foul by Tim Clancy (Hibernian) on Stevie Hammell (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

14:01

Henrik Ojamaa (Motherwell) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

13:46

Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

13:20

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

12:59

Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

12:45

Foul by Tom Taiwo (Hibernian) on Nicky Law (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Simon Ramsden (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

12:06

Header by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

11:22

Foul by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) on Tom Taiwo (Hibernian). Free kick taken right-footed by Tim Clancy (Hibernian) from right channel, resulting in open play.

10:39

Foul by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) on Paul Hanlon (Hibernian). Free kick taken left-footed by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

9:55

Shot by David Wotherspoon (Hibernian) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

9:06

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) to far post, resulting in open play.

7:51

Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

6:58

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

6:35

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

6:14

Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Hibernian).

5:15

Shot by Jamie Murphy (Motherwell) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

4:16

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

3:44

Foul by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) on James McPake (Hibernian). Free kick taken left-footed by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

3:13

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

2:52

Foul by Jamie Murphy (Motherwell) on Jorge Claros (Hibernian). Free kick taken left-footed by Paul Hanlon (Hibernian) from own half, resulting in open play.

2:28

Foul by Jorge Claros (Hibernian) on Keith Lasley (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Keith Lasley (Motherwell) from own half, passed.

1:24

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

0:54

Goal kick taken long by Ben Williams (Hibernian).

0:15

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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