Motherwell started the new year with another disappointing defeat, this time in the derby at the hands of Hamilton.
Goals from Lee Hodson, Ross Callachan and Callum Smith consigned ‘Well to the loss in the week where Stephen Robinson left as manager.
Interim boss Keith Lasley made four changes to the side which started the 2-0 loss to Kilmarnock in midweek.
Trevor Carson, Mark O’Hara and Ricki Lamie were the enforced absentees, with Aaron Chapman, Jake Hastie and Bevis Mugabi coming into the team.
Jake Carroll also made his first start since returning from injury, with Robbie Crawford moving to the bench.
The first chance in the game fell to the visitors. Hodson found room on the right, but his shot was gathered by Chapman.
Tony Watt then came agonisingly close to giving Motherwell the lead. O’Donnell’s driven cross from the right was scooped just past the left-hand post by the striker.
Hamilton would take the lead on the 10 minute mark. Hodson got himself into acres of space on the counter on the right-hand side.
He had to steady himself for the shot, which was close to the goalkeeper but still found the net.
Lasley’s men would carve out half-chances as the first 45 wore on. Gallagher hit the post from a Polworth free-kick, before being ruled offside, while Watt’s shot from Polworth’s flick was well saved.
The half-time interval would give Motherwell time to take stock and come out the traps, but it proved to be the opposite.
Moyo found room on the right and steered the ball back to the edge of the box, where Callachan was on hand to fire past Chapman to make it two.
It would be worse on the 65th minute mark. More room down the right allowed a cross to Smith, who steered his header with precision off the left-hand post and in.
Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, Grimshaw, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (White), Hastie (Maguire), Watt.
Subs not used: Morrison, Devine, McGinley, Johnston, Crawford, Cornelius, Seedorf.