WIN your last four games.

And hope for the best. The equation Motherwell require to avoid the ordeal of the Premiership play-offs has become brutally simple. The Fir Park side created a multitude of chances and exhibited no lack of desire or belief during Friday night's 2-0 Lanarkshire derby defeat but the end result was wounding. Playing like this, there is no reason why they should fear a two-legged contest with the second-best side the championship has to offer, but Stephen McManus articulated the emotions of the dressing room when he said it is an outcome that no-one at Fir Park is prepared to countenance.

"We had targeted five wins from our remaining five games," the former Scotland international centre half said. "We now have four games left and the target is four wins. We need as many points as possible. Every game is must win for us now, to be honest. We'll see where that takes us.

"We are not psychologically preparing ourselves for the play-offs," he added. "We have 12 points still to play for and that's what we're thinking about right now. We're trying to be positive. Other people outside of our club can say what they like but we are still in the mix and there is a real determination and desire to succeed."

For Hamilton, there was simply relief at saving their Premiership skins for another season and racking up Martin Canning's first win as manager, at the 14th time of asking. Ali Crawford's killer second goal on the night was not only his tenth of an impressive season, it was his fourth against Hamilton's Lanarkshire rivals. It is quite a haul for the midfielder, who feels he can add even more to his game next season by bulking up his wiry frame.

"I wish I could play them every week!" said Crawford. "I set myself a target to reach double figures so I have done that and there are still four games to go. It was nice to get the win for him [Canning]. We have proved to our critics if we had any that we can still play."