Motherwell under-20s started their Development League campaign with a 4-2 victory over Dundee United.
A Shea Gordon brace, a wonder strike from Adam Livingstone and a James Scott header secured all three points for the Steelmen at Station Park in Forfar.
Stephen Craigan handed George Newell and Shaun Bowers their first starts for the under-20s on a misty Tuesday evening.
And it was the former who looked like causing problems for the hosts in the opening exchanges as he drove with purpose at the United defence before fizzing a powerful effort in to the side netting.
It was all Motherwell for the first ten minutes and Liam Brown went close just a minute before Davie Turnbull did too – but neither failed to test the keeper.
Brown went closer in the 10th minute though – forcing a brilliant save from Josh Donaldson in the United goal – tipping his powerful strike narrowly over the bar.
And then, against the run of play, the hosts took the lead. The youngsters failed to deal with a set-piece and, against the run of play, fell a goal behind when Chalmers tapped in the loose ball.
It was a positive response from Craigan’s side though, who went close through Adam Livingstone and Shea Gordon before eventually drawing level in the 21st minute.
An in-swinging corner was headed on goal by Dylan King but deflected off Shea Gordon to fly past Donaldson and was the least Motherwell deserved.
Just over five minutes before the break, Craigan’s side took the lead and it was a fantastic goal all round. A neat team move was finished off in style when Livingstone stepped on to a cut-back to send his right-footed effort curling in to the top corner.
There was still time for a third before the interval though and James Scott obliged by nodding home Livingstone’s cross. The youngster did well to direct his header downwards past Donaldson.
The home side got off to a better start in the second period and reduced the deficit to one after their trialist was tripped in the area and Chalmers grabbed his second – coolly converting from the spot.
Craigan decided to make a couple of changes, replacing Newell and Bowers with Falconer and Agyeman – and the two substitutes looked lively from the moment they were introduced.
Thanks to Falconer’s inch-perfect through ball, the Steelmen reinstated their two goal lead when Gordon prodded beyond Donaldson in the 75th minute.
One final substitute was introduced to the action with seven minutes remaining when Kyle MacDonald was introduced in place of goal scorer Scott as the youngsters looked to see the game out.