Keith Lasley's late strike gave Motherwell only their second home win of the season as battling Ross County left Fir Park empty handed.

Rocco Quinn's superb long-range strike gave County a 17th-minute lead.

Michael Higdon's commanding header soon brought the hosts back on terms and Nicky Law's cool finish edged the Steelmen ahead just after the break.

A deflected Quinn drive levelled matters but Lasley fired the hosts' winner eight minutes from time.

Stuart McCall's side move into the Scottish Premier League's top four while County remain 10th.

Motherwell made the early running without really threatening Mark Brown's goal and the first attempt came from Quinn, who just cleared the crossbar with a delicate 20-yard chip.

Brown was tested, however, when Lasley's boot flicked on a Tom Hateley corner and the former 'Well keeper reacted superbly by palming clear.

And Derek Adams' men soon moved ahead with Quinn this time finding the net from outside the box.

The former Celtic and Kilmarnock midfielder ran at the Motherwell defence and, from 25 yards, unleashed a stunning strike past Lee Hollis off the underside of the bar.

The hosts' response was determined and eventually rewarded with Higdon's trademark header.

Brown did well to block Henrik Ojamaa's shot from six yards, but the ball was returned into the box by Chris Humphrey for Higdon to tower above the rest and nod into the top corner.

Intricate passing opened up the visiting defence again as Law squared for Jamie Murphy but he leaned back as he shot over.

The home side continued to dominate but sloppiness in the Steelmen's defence allowed Gary Glen in, Hollis narrowing the angle well to make the save.

Motherwell got the start to the second half that they wanted as Quinn conceded possession in midfield and Law was released down the left.

The midfielder took his time as he bore down on goal and passed the ball across Brown into the net from the corner of the six-yard box.

County were almost level through headers at corners, Ross Tokely having an effort saved before Colin McMenamin nodded over.

Referee Calum Murray ruled that Hollis had taken the ball and not the man after Mark Fotheringham went down in the Motherwell box and within moments Tom Hateley tested Brown with a well-struck free-kick.

The visitors continued to press and equalised when Quinn's rebound shot, after his initial effort had been blocked, took a nick off a defender on its way past Hollis.

A draw looked on the cards until Murphy's blocked shot fell for Lasley on the edge of the box and the Motherwell captain tucked the ball past Brown.

There was still time for County to try and steal a point but Hollis made a terrific reaction save to keep out Scott Boyd's injury-time header and McMenamin could only shoot into the side netting in the aftermath.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Motherwell

  • 12 Hollis
  • 03 Hammell
  • 05 Hutchinson
  • 30 Cummins
  • 04 Law (Carswell - 73' )
  • 06 Hateley
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 14 Lasley
  • 08 Ojamaa (McHugh - 68' )
  • 09 Higdon (Francis-Angol - 79' )
  • 11 Murphy

Substitutes

  • 43 Stewart
  • 15 Ramsden
  • 19 Kerr
  • 26 Francis-Angol
  • 17 Daley
  • 18 Carswell
  • 16 McHugh

Ross County

  • 25 Brown
  • 03 Fitzpatrick
  • 05 Boyd Booked
  • 06 Tokely
  • 22 Kovacevic (Munro - 46' )
  • 10 Brittain (Kettlewell - 66' )
  • 11 Vigurs
  • 12 Quinn
  • 29 Fotheringham
  • 09 McMenamin
  • 20 Glen (Cooper - 67' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Fraser
  • 04 Munro
  • 23 Macphee
  • 07 Kettlewell
  • 08 Lawson
  • 21 Cooper
  • 24 Ross
Ref: Murray
Att: 3,739

Match Stats

Shots

8 9

On target

5 6

Corners

5 5

Fouls

7 9

Live Text Commentary

93:25 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +2:31

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Iain Vigurs, Colin McMenamin takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

90:00 +0:18

Chris Humphrey concedes a free kick for a foul on Grant Munro. Mark Brown takes the free kick.

87:05

Keith Lasley has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

86:33

Keith Lasley fouled by Colin McMenamin, the ref awards a free kick. Adam Cummins takes the free kick.

85:26

Grant Munro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Robert McHugh. Free kick taken by Tom Hateley.

81:43

The assist for the goal came from Jamie Murphy.

81:43 Goal scored

Goal - Keith Lasley - Motherwell 3 - 2 Ross Co Keith Lasley scores a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Motherwell 3-2 Ross County.

80:06

Corner taken by Tom Hateley from the left by-line played to the near post.

78:54 Substitution

Substitution Michael Higdon leaves the field to be replaced by Zaine Francis-Angol.

77:54

Foul by Grant Munro on Michael Higdon, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Tom Hateley.

76:36

Grant Munro fouled by Michael Higdon, the ref awards a free kick. Mark Brown restarts play with the free kick.

75:42

Rocco Quinn fouled by Jamie Murphy, the ref awards a free kick. Rocco Quinn restarts play with the free kick.

72:39 Substitution

Substitution Nicky Law leaves the field to be replaced by Stewart Carswell.

72:39

Alex Cooper challenges Chris Humphrey unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Hollis takes the free kick.

72:39 Substitution

Substitution Stewart Carswell joins the action as a substitute, replacing Nicky Law.

72:39

Alex Cooper concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Humphrey. Lee Hollis takes the indirect free kick.

71:06

Corner taken by Iain Vigurs from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Shaun Hutchinson.

69:01 Goal scored

Goal - Rocco Quinn - Motherwell 2 - 2 Ross Co Rocco Quinn fires in a goal from just outside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Motherwell 2-2 Ross County.

67:20 Substitution

Substitution Henrik Ojamaa goes off and Robert McHugh comes on.

66:55

Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Iain Vigurs. Free kick taken by Mark Brown.

66:15 Substitution

Substitution Alex Cooper on for Gary Glen.

65:55 Substitution

Substitution Stuart Kettlewell joins the action as a substitute, replacing Richard Brittain.

65:34

Nicky Law gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richard Brittain. Free kick taken by Ross Tokely.

64:54

Foul by Colin McMenamin on Tom Hateley, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Lee Hollis.

64:17

Free kick awarded for a foul by Iain Vigurs on Keith Lasley. Direct free kick taken by Shaun Hutchinson.

63:40

Gary Glen is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Lee Hollis.

62:54

Henrik Ojamaa handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Richard Brittain takes the free kick.

62:27

Shot by Rocco Quinn went wide right of the net.

62:21

Corner from right by-line taken by Tom Hateley.

60:49

The official flags Gary Glen offside. Stevie Hammell restarts play with the free kick.

59:52

Iain Vigurs takes a shot. Save made by Lee Hollis.

59:52

Iain Vigurs takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

56:45

The assistant referee signals for offside against Chris Humphrey. Mark Brown takes the free kick.

54:00

Foul by Scott Boyd on Michael Higdon, free kick awarded. Tom Hateley produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, inswinging corner taken by Tom Hateley. Blocked by Mark Brown.

52:33

Mark Fotheringham takes a shot. Lee Hollis makes a save.

49:26

The assistant referee flags for offside against Richard Brittain. Indirect free kick taken by Lee Hollis.

47:50

Richard Brittain takes the inswinging corner, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Colin McMenamin misses to the left of the goal.

46:59

Corner taken right-footed by Richard Brittain from the left by-line, Rocco Quinn takes a shot. Lee Hollis makes a save.

45:55 Goal scored

Goal - Nicky Law - Motherwell 2 - 1 Ross Co Nicky Law gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Motherwell 2-1 Ross County.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Grant Munro joins the action as a substitute, replacing Mihael Kovacevic.

45:00 +0:03 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

39:48

Shaun Hutchinson challenges Gary Glen unfairly and gives away a free kick. Richard Brittain restarts play with the free kick.

39:05

Unfair challenge on Jamie Murphy by Mihael Kovacevic results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Stevie Hammell.

36:51

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Mark Fotheringham.

36:08

The referee blows for offside against Gary Glen. Lee Hollis takes the free kick.

34:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stevie Hammell by Mark Fotheringham. Stevie Hammell takes the indirect free kick.

31:53 Booking

Booking Scott Boyd is booked.

31:45

The referee penalises Scott Boyd for handball. Tom Hateley takes the free kick.

30:05

The referee blows for offside. Lee Hollis restarts play with the free kick.

28:37

Shot on goal by Jamie Murphy from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

24:13

Assist by Chris Humphrey.

24:13 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Higdon - Motherwell 1 - 1 Ross Co Michael Higdon scores a headed goal from inside the box. Motherwell 1-1 Ross County.

22:20

Inswinging corner taken by Tom Hateley.

18:35

The assistant referee flags for offside against Henrik Ojamaa. Indirect free kick taken by Mark Brown.

16:30

Richard Brittain provided the assist for the goal.

16:30 Goal scored

Goal - Rocco Quinn - Motherwell 0 - 1 Ross Co Rocco Quinn scores a goal from long range to the top right corner of the goal. Motherwell 0-1 Ross County.

15:12

Adam Cummins gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Colin McMenamin. Free kick taken by Iain Vigurs.

12:07

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley from the left by-line to the near post, Effort from 12 yards by Keith Lasley. Save by Mark Brown.

8:17

Chris Humphrey produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

4:43

Effort on goal by Rocco Quinn from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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