T HEY did not deserve the howls of anger that echoed around Rugby Park, but they did, perhaps, deserve something more for their efforts.

Kilmarnock's players walked off at the conclusion of this contest having suffered a third consecutive defeat and it would have been understandable had they railed against the misfortune that befell them, if not the reaction of their vexed supporters.

Ultimately, two second-half Motherwell goals condemned the Ayrshire side to another game without reward but, on another day, the outcome might have been reversed. Kris Boyd might have taken two of the chances that fell his way; Sammy Clingan's deflected effort might have looped in rather than wide; and Michael Gardyne's low shot might have evaded Gunnar Nielsen. Allan Johnston highlighted such slings and arrows but also acknowledged his side's recurring deficiencies. "We didn't deserve to get beat but how many times do we keep saying the same thing?" he asked. "Teams don't have to work hard to score against us and that's been the case since we came in."

The goals were gifted but Motherwell should be congratulated on an accomplished performance. Although short of their best, Stuart McCall's side chiselled out a lead and defended resolutely to protect it before burnishing their victory with a late second.

Indeed, had striker Craig Moore displayed with a little more composure in front of goal, the Fir Park club might have enjoyed a less fraught second half. The lively 19-year-old might have scored three times in the opening 22 minutes - twice streaking through after mistakes and once profiting on a loose clearance inside the area - but rushed each opportunity. "That can happen but I'm delighted because it's the best debut he could have had without scoring," McCall said.

It was left, then, to the more senior member of Motherwell's front two to make the most of Kilmarnock's consistently charitable defending. John Sutton had been thwarted by a fine Craig Samson save but the goalkeeper was hopelessly exposed nine minutes after the break when the striker was given too much time and space to direct Iain Vigurs' cross into the net with a judicious diving header.

Until then, Kilmarnock's threat had been more speculative but the goal appeared to rouse them. Chances soon came their way but, unfortunately for the hosts, Boyd was enduring a fitful afternoon. The striker had earlier stumbled over the ball after turning Stephen McManus and when the best chance of the day fell to him, he was found wanting. Clohessy's cross located the forward in space eight yards out, but he could only direct a header over the bar. "He's not going to score every one," said Johnston, ruefully.

Gardyne went closer, forcing a splendid stop from Nielson after a clever turn, and the goalkeeper was beaten when Clingan's deflected drive bounded past, but Kilmarnock's belated pressure came to nothing. Or at least nothing positive. So committed were their attempts at finding an equaliser that they found themselves exposed at the back, so when the ball broke to Henri Anier with a couple of minutes remaining, he was able to gallop into the area and rattle past Samson to confirm Motherwell's victory.