IAN BARACLOUGH, the Motherwell manager, last night reaffirmed his belief that the Fir Park club can avoid the dreaded Premiership play-off despite a 2-0 defeat to their Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton which leaves them six points adrift of Ross County with four games to play.

The Highland side could stretch that margin still further when they host Partick Thistle today but Baraclough said his team haven't given up hope of avoiding the ordeal together.

"We have to believe we can bridge the gap and we need to wait and see what Saturday brings," said Baraclough. "You can't put a target on what we need to get. Other teams will get a boost from us losing and that hurts but we have to move on. We have four games left, we need to lick our wounds and go again against Ross County next week."

Last night's defeat, courtesy of a goal in either half by Jason Scotland and Ali Crawford, was Motherwell's third league reverse of the season against the Accies, who also knocked them out of the League Cup on penalties. It is enough to secure Hamilton's Premiership status for next season and means St Mirren cannot be relegated today, regardless of their result against Kilmarnock

"It was frustrating as we created more chances and better chances," said Baraclough, whose side hit the post and bar, and created numerous one-on-ones. "It's amazing we never scored. We were in good positions and weren't clinical enough. That has cost us in this game. Their two goals came from us giving it away cheaply."

His opposite number Martin Canning, meanwhile, celebrated the first league win of the post-Alex Neil era at the club, and paid tribute to his players and his directors for keeping faith in him.

"I'm not going to say I wasn't concerned or it didn't play on my mind," he said. "That would be a lie. I want to win in everything I do and wanted to get that first one as soon as possible. You want to get it off your back. When it doesn't come, you question everything and it has been tough but I haven't been too concerned - the club have been great with me. It was a long time in coming but that win wasn't about me - it was about the players. They have shown they can win games at this level and I'm so happy for them. I'm pleased and proud for every single one of them."

Canning, the club's player/manager, was forced to watch from the stand as he was serving a suspension, with assistant Guillaume Beuzelin in the technical area. He joked he might stay there permanently. "I felt relaxed up there and I think I'll be sitting in the stand every week wearing my suit!" said Canning. "It was a great night and a good result. We haven't been getting the results we deserved in recent weeks. We did tonight and played with a professionalism and experience. That was great to see. We got everything we deserved.

"The belief, attitude and intensity was excellent. They are a good bunch of players and have never given up. The first goal was crucial and we went from strength to strength after that. It was a deserved win. What will I do with the win bonus? I was suspended so I won't get it!"