THE modern emphasis in football is on possession and passing.

But one cannot beat pace as an offensive weapon. Certainly, Ross County could not yesterday. The Highland side were confounded in their chase for the final Europa League place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League by the speed of Chris Humprey allied to their lack of quality in front of goal.

Derek Adams' side had more than enough of the ball and regularly forced Motherwell on to the back foot. But it was the feet of Humphrey that decided the match. Engagingly vibrant if occasionally frustrating, the Jamaican had two telling sprints that leave his side safely ensconced in second place and render impossible the remarkable attempt by Ross County to qualify for Europe after an outstanding season.

Twice in the first half he ran down the right as if he was on rails with a head of steam and his pursuers were breaking in astronaut boots for Nasa. His first incursion came when Paul Lawson gave the ball away after eight minutes. Humphrey burst forward, past Grant Munro and fed a grateful James McFadden at the back post. The Scottish internationalist, of course, finished cleanly but was a spectator when Humphrey set off on a run on the stroke of half-time after a Ross County corner was cleared and he was placed in a sprint against Iain Vigurs. Humphrey ran almost the entire length of the field, leaving a gasping pursuer in his wake, and disdained to pass to McFadden, instead slotting past Michael Fraser.

He did pick out his team-mate with an excellent cross in the second half but the hero of Paris, lethal from 35 yards for Scotland, headed over from under the bar. Humphrey, too, had an unwitting role in another blow to County when Richard Brittain collapsed with what appears to be a serious knee injury when trying to block the winger's shot in the second half. The midfielder, who has been attempting to cancel a pre-contract agreement with St Johnstone, was taken to hospital for examination with that move perhaps now in even more doubt than before.

The sum total for County, then, was a return trip that ensures the passports do not need dusting down for professional duty next season. Neat, committed and disciplined, they were left on the starting blocks in regard to Humphrey and anxious and inaccurate when chances presented themselves. Their best opportunities came when a Steffen Wohlfarth shot from eight yards was blocked by Shaun Hutchinson in the first half and when Ivan Sproule, their speedy riposte to Humphrey, broke clear but overhit the ball, allowing Darren Randolph to gather.

County continued to press in the second half but their efforts became more desperate and less convincing. Motherwell, without ever being at their effervescent best, thus slipped another three points into their pockets with the facility of a seasoned sneak thief.

Their thanks for a profitable afternoon should be made to Humphey and McFadden, who scored his fifth goal for the club in this spell and showed in glimpses of what will make him a coveted signing over the course of the summer.

Stuart McCall, the Motherwell manager, could even afford to take off Nicky Law, an unusually insubstantial presence yesterday, Randolph, who was unflustered by County's frenetic but feckless finishing, and Michael Higdon, who could have been charged with loitering without intent. All three may not be at Fir Park next season and deserved their individual ovations for their efforts over another fine campaign for McCall and his players.

The Motherwell manager said the points total of 63 points would only have been offered to the club by at the start of the season by somebody "drinking in the same pub as Higgy". This reference to events surrounding the PFA Scotland player of the year this season was made lightly but McCall holds serious hopes of retaining the striker, though Law and Randolph are almost certainly bound for other clubs.

He said: "Michael likes to be loved and he is certainly loved here. We will need to know in a few weeks what certain players want to do." These include the Scouser plus such as Tom Hateley and Humphrey, who has been offered a new contract.

Adams, the Ross County manager, could reflect on a frustrating day but on a season that offers deep satisfaction despite coming up short in the tilt at a European place. "Our main at the start of the season was to finish in 11th position," he said. "We have finished in the to six in our first season in the SPL and we are one of the best teams in the league. A lot of credit has to go to the players and the staff. We are a wee team from the north and we have finished ahead of Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts, St Mirren . . ."

They could also deny another wee team from the north an European place next week. Rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle travel to Dingwall for what promises to be a pulsating Highland gathering.