The old adage goes that in life, you only regret the chances that you didn't take.

For the second week in a row, Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough was lamenting opportunities that had passed his team by.

Unfortunately for the Fir Park boss, whereas last week they managed to at least convert one of the many chances they created at Inverness to seal victory, in yesterday's home game against Dundee United, they squandered more opportunities than they might have created in three matches at the same stage last season to crash to defeat.

Marvin Johnson missed a one-on-one, Joe Chalmers scooped over from six yards and the excellent Louis Zwick denied substitute Louis Moult before United broke away twice towards the end of the match to claim the three points.

"I felt on the balance of play it was undeserved," said Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough.

"I feel for our players there, I thought we were better than we were last week at Inverness and we've got nothing to show for it.

"But for me, we're on the right track, and you can't get too down about it."

One man who would be feeling more down than most was 'Well defender Louis Laing, who turned down the opportunity to discuss his unfortunate own goal seven minutes from time with the waiting press such was the level of his disappointment.

The player had a fine match before a penetrating run by United full-back Paul Dixon ended with him drilling a ball across the six-yard box that sliced off the foot of the former Nottingham Forest defender and past 'Well keeper Connor Ripley before he even moved.

To be fair to United, they more than played their part in an entertaining game after slowly feeling their way into proceedings, and Scott Fraser must have thought he had scored before half-time with a side-footed curling effort towards the top corner that Ripley did terrifically well to divert behind.

Without the energetic presence of Stephen Pearson in the Motherwell midfield, United began to gain some meaningful possession by the end of the first-half, and if anything the visitors were in the ascendency either side of the break.

The clever movement of Charlie Telfer allowed him a couple of opportunities to trouble Ripley, the first coming when he unleashed a stinging effort that the keeper parried to safety, before Chris Erskine cut inside and chipped a lovely ball through to Telfer who ran through on Ripley, but his effort cannoned off the keeper's face and out for a corner.

The flow of the game then swung back in favour of the home side, and they passed up some great opportunities before United's late counters punished their profligacy.

Motherwell's desperation to find an equaliser led to goalkeeper Ripley coming up for a corner in injury-time, but as so often happens in these situations, the move backfired spectacularly.

United gathered the ball and Jackie McNamara's three substitutes showed their fresh legs as they broke at pace to round off the win.

Robbie Muirhead fed Aidan Connolly who burst towards the unguarded Motherwell net. He slipped the ball to Simon Murray who steadied himself before expertly slotting past the retreating Ripley with the last kick of the game to spark wild scenes amongst the travelling fans.

"I thought Motherwell were excellent in the first 20 minutes," said United manager Jackie McNamara.

"After that we started to move the ball and create problems. I thought it was a great game, a fantastic game, both keepers had an excellent match and I'm obviously pleased to keep a clean sheet as well."

A lot has been made of the players that Dundee United have lost, but in goal hero Murray, they may just have found a rough diamond that wants to become as polished as the departed Nadir Ciftci.

"He's different to what we've had," McNamara said.

"He's got a lot of energy, and his biggest asset is his desire.

"That's why I brought him here, he throws himself at the opportunities we've given him. He's been excellent so far and he comes in every day and gives everything that he has."

Motherwell (4-2-3-1): Connor Ripley; Stevie Hammell, Louis Laing, Stephen McManus, Josh Law; Keith Lasley , Jack Leitch (David Clarkson,79'); Joe Chalmers (Dom Thomas, 66'), Marvin Johnston, Scott McDonald; Wes Fletcher (Louis Moult, 61').

Unused subs: Dan Twardzik, Kieran Kennedy, Chris Cadden, David Ferguson.

Dundee United (4-2-3-1): Luis Zwick; Paul Dixon, Mark Durnan, Coll Donaldson, Ryan McGowan; John Souttar, Scott Fraser; Blair Spittal, Charlie Telfer (Robbie Muirhead, 71'), Chris Erskine (Simon Murray, 79'); Darko Bodul (Aidan Connolly, 73').

Unused subs: Marc McCallum, Sean Dillon, John Rankin, Scott Lochhead.

Bookings: Leitch (62'), Hammell (87'), Ripley (91').

Attendance: 4859

Referee: Bobby Madden