HOPE is important.

In what is likely to become an increasingly fraught scrap to avoid the drop out of the SPFL Premiership, retaining an optimistic outlook in the face of adversity could well be crucial. Ross County's recent surge has expanded what had been viewed up until then as a three-horse race featuring them, Motherwell and St Mirren, with Partick Thistle also now looking slightly anxiously over their shoulders.

Only 10 games remain before one of these clubs falls automatically through the trapdoor, with another being made to fight for their survival via the play-offs. It will prove a test of resolve and determination as much as of talent and technique. The teams that want it more, and have the belief they can do it, may well be the ones to stay up.

This has been a season to forget for Motherwell but a flicker of hope still exists. For a team used to competing at the top end of the table, a campaign spent scrambling around desperately for points has proved something of a culture shock. A change of manager has failed to immediately alleviate the situation but in the last few weeks there have been signs of resurgence when they have been needed most.

Victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle, their first in 2015, was followed on Saturday by this fighting draw with Kilmarnock. With the visitors playing the entirety of the second half with 10 men following Darryl Westlake's red card, there was an admission from manager Ian Baraclough that this had been a good chance to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since his first two matches in charge. A draw, however, did at least lift Motherwell off the foot of the table and into 11th place, two points behind a resurgent County, and Stephen McManus is not without hope they can continue on an upwards trajectory.

"I think it will be a three-way fight, although Ross County are on a good bit of form and that might drag Partick Thistle into it," said the veteran defender. "But we can only control what we are doing. We've come through a tough run and you are looking at where your points are coming from. The additions that have come in have given everyone a big lift and you can see that.

"The reason we are where we are this year is because we deserve to be there. We've not played well enough in matches, we've not won as many games as we should have or scored as many goals. That means we are in the mire. The good thing is that the performances in recent weeks have been very good. You can see that in the fans' reaction. They come here and pay their money and it's a lot to come to football matches these days. It's our job to give them something back and hopefully they are starting to see that a wee bit."

Saturday brought a first goal in his second spell at the club for Scott McDonald, a terrific free kick from just outside the Kilmarnock box. The Australian later admitted he thought he had played a "stinker" but McManus believes his influence could be vital in the months ahead.

"That's the first time I've ever seen him hit a free-kick so it was good for him," he added. "Listen, it's good for him to be off the mark because I know he judges himself on scoring goals. It shows you he has that bit of quality from set-pieces now which is great.

"The team looks a lot better now with Pearo [Stephen Pearson] in the middle and Scotty up top, myself at the back and with George [Long] in goals, there is a good spine. Everyone is playing their part. Robbo [Steve Robinson], the new assistant manager, has made a difference, too. There is a long way for us to go but hopefully we are going in the right direction."

Kilmarnock, meanwhile, find themselves moving neither up nor down. Spared a relegation fight and struggling to reach the top six, their remaining games will largely be pressure-free as they look to impress new manager Gary Locke ahead of a likely squad refurbishment in the summer.

One player who added to his reputation on Saturday was Tope Obadeyi, the forward scoring his seventh goal of the season to give Kilmarnock the lead midway through the first half. It was a powerful strike from the Englishman, his shot flashing past Long at his near post.

"I'm enjoying the freedom I've got on the pitch," he said. "The manager tells me to stay out wide and try to attack the full-back as much as I can. It's working for me, I've got a couple of goals in the last three games and hopefully I can get more."