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Motherwell surrender a winning position to end 2019 with defeat to their local rivals.

“It’s a huge lesson for everybody.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to Motherwell’s loss to Hamilton Academical.

Two second half goals from Aaron McGowan and David Moyo earned Hamilton a derby day win over Motherwell.

Christopher Long had given Motherwell the perfect start, opening the scoring after five minutes, Motherwell looked on target to end the year on a high and claim their sixth win from the last seven games.

However, Lanarkshire derbies have proved unpredictable, and after dominating the first half hour the Fir Park men lost their way in the second half as Accies pressed from the restart to deservedly take all three points.

After shuffling his pack for the trip to Dingwall on Thursday, Stephen Robinson made three changes for the final match before the winter break.

Liam Grimshaw was restored to full back, with Bevis Mugabi replacing Peter Hartley in the centre of the defence. Up front, Long had recovered to lead the line with James Scott and Jermaine Hylton on either side of the striker.

Despite having a tough game on Boxing Day, Accies stood by the same starting 11 as the South Lanarkshire side searched for some points to ease their relegation worries.

Within the first three minutes both teams had conjured up openings, Liam Polworth’s bouncing effort deflected past the post before Moyo’s fluffed shot from four yards went straight into Mark Gillespie’s arms.

The opening goal was on its way, though, and with five minutes on the clock ‘Well took the advantage.

Jake Carroll’s ball down the left channel presented Long with nothing more than the chance of holding the ball up at the edge of the box. However, with a bit of pace and strength he forced his way around Sam Stubbs before firing a low shot across Luke Southwood’s and inside the ‘keeper’s left- hand post for a great solo effort.

The early lead gave the Steelmen confidence and some of their passing was slick although without a final product. That should have changed after 16 minutes when another series of passes ended with Long’s cut back for Polworth but his drive was straight at the ‘keeper.

Two minutes later Long came close to claiming a double when he outpaced Stubbs only to nudge the ball past the advancing Southwood and the post.

Although he had shown some clever footwork earlier in the half, Mugabi’s clumsy challenge on Scott Martin at the edge of the box gave Accies a real chance of grabbing an equaliser. Disappointingly, for the visitor’s Mickel Miller whipped his free kick high into the Davie Cooper stand.

Having been on the back foot for most of the opening half hour, Hamilton had a bit more presence around Gillespie’s area. In the 34th minute the ‘Well ‘keeper had to race through a packed box to punch away Stubbs’ header across goal.

‘Well needed a second goal to kill Accies’ enthusiasm and a terrific run from James Scott almost provided that. Racing from the halfway line down the left touchline, his cross picked out Hylton inside the six yard box but his header sent the ball into the side netting.

On the stroke of half-time another swift break from the home side ended with Scott blasting the ball high over as ‘Well’s fabulous start to the half petered out.

The second half started with the Fir Park men defending in depth as Accies pressed for an equaliser. Twice in the opening six minutes Miller had chances heading wide before drilling a shot narrowly wide of Gillespie’s overworked goal.

A handball at the other end provided ‘Well with a free kick 30 yards from goal. After his wonderful strike against Kilmarnock Jake Carroll looked favourite but instead Mark O’Hara tried his luck but his effort bounced wide.

With Motherwell hemmed in their own half only a wonderful save from Gillespie after 53 minutes denied Accies an equaliser. Moyo’s thumping drive was dipping under the bar until the ‘Well ‘keeper stretched and twisted to turn the ball over his crossbar.

At this stage the Fir Park players looked a shadow of the confident side from the first half as they carelessly conceded possession allowing Hamilton plenty of the ball in and around the home box.

After 63 minutes Hylton’s trip on Aaron McGowan at the edge of the box presented Accies with yet another opening. And although Brian Easton blasted the free kick high and wide, Stephen Robinson had seen enough to make a double substitution bringing on Sherwin Seedorf to provide an out ball and Peter Hartley to bolster the defence.

The changes had little effect as Accies deservedly equalised four minutes later. Moyo nodded the ball down to Aaron McGowan and his low drive from 20 yards took a slight deflection to steer the ball inside Gillespie’s left-hand post.

That goal sparked some life into the home ranks and Carroll, now more advanced on the left, headed Grimshaw’s deep cross wide of goal.

As both sides chased a winning goal play raged from end to end and the Accies’ fans behind Gillespie’s goal thought Martin had hit one from 30 yards but his shot flew wide.

However, the Hamilton fans were on their feet in the 76 minute to celebrate the winning goal when Moyo rose high in the six yard box to nod McGowan’s cross beyond Gillespie to make it 2-1.

That forced ‘Well’s final change, with Ross MacIver, replacing Polworth for the final 10 minutes.

The youngster was hoping to repeat his debut goal at Dingwall but the nearest MacIver and ‘Well came to an equaliser was his injury time header into Southwood’s grateful hands.

“It will be 100mph. Fans will be right up for it. It’ll come down to who manages the game best.”

Stephen Robinson looks ahead to the year-end derby with Hamilton.

Hamilton Academical are the final visitors to Fir Park in 2019 on Sunday.

Here’s a look at our opponents.

The story so far

With 15 points from 20 league games this season, Hamilton find themselves second bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership going into the local derby fixture.

They are, however, by no means cut adrift. Three points ahead of bottom club Hearts, a positive result at the weekend could see them jump above St Mirren into 10th, and potentially even put themselves two points off eighth in the table.

Form guide

Hamilton have won one, drawn three and lost six of their last 10 outings in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Their sole victory came at home to Hearts on 21 December, with Mickel Miller and Will Collar netting in a 2-1 victory.

Draws have came against Livingston, Kilmarnock and Ross County, with losses to Aberdeen twice, Rangers, Celtic, St Mirren and St Johnstone.

Three to watch

Alexander Gogic

Cypriot defender Alexander Gogic has put his injury struggles behind him to establish himself as a crucial part of the Hamilton backline.

The 25-year-old has played in all but one of Accies’ 19 Scottish Premiership fixtures so far this season – missing out on the 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen following his dismissal in the home loss to St Mirren.

Such is Gogic’s influence on the team, he was handed the captain’s armband on three occasions this term.

Brian Easton

Almost 13 years on from making his professional debut for Hamilton, Brian Easton put pen to paper on a deal that saw him return for a third spell at the club where it all began.

Progressing through the ranks, Easton racked up over 100 appearances in his first spell with Accies before signing for Burnley in the summer of 2009. A short spell at Dundee followed, before the left-back joined St Johnstone – winning the Scottish Cup in 2014.

Injury ruled Easton out for 16 months between December 2017 and May 2019 and following his departure from McDiarmid Park, Brian Rice moved quickly to secure his services on a one-year-deal.

Mickel Miller

Mickel Miller will have fond memories of coming up against Motherwell, having made his debut for Accies in a 2-0 win over Motherwell back in March 2018.

It represented an incredible journey for the forward, who progressed through the ranks at Carshalton Athletic in the English seventh tier before signing for Hamilton in January 2018.

Last season was an impressive one for Miller and we would end it as the club’s top-scorer with eight goals. This season he has found the net on three occasions, the latest of which came in the 2-1 victory over Hearts last weekend.

Buy in advance or pay at the gate

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Fans can also pay at the gate on the day

Cheaper price applies to John Hunter stand for home supporters.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Motherwell v Hamilton and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

There’s a live stream and live audio available from Motherwell v Hamilton Academical this Sunday.

We’ve live video of the match available to viewers outside of the UK and Ireland for just £12 a month. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.

To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland and can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ve also got live audio commentary of the match for just £5.99 a month.

Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to sign up. Just choose the UK/Ireland commentary option.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

Motherwell end 2019 with a home match against neighbours Hamilton Academical on Sunday.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

With five wins from their last six matches, Motherwell head into the game knowing a win will guarantee third spot in the Premiership going into the winter break.

Hamilton, meanwhile, have the incentive of trying to keep a distance between themselves and Hearts at the foot of the table, and also potentially climb higher.

With a three-point gap on the bottom side, they could also leapfrog St Mirren into 10th with a positive result.

Head to head

Motherwell are unbeaten in four in the fixture, picking up three wins along the way.

Earlier in the season, goals from Liam Donnelly, Peter Hartley and Christopher Long sealed an emphatic 3-1 win away from home.

Buy in advance or pay at the gate

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Fans can also pay at the gate on the day

Cheaper price applies to John Hunter stand for home supporters.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Motherwell v Hamilton and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

A debut Ross MacIver goal and a late, late winner from Declan Gallagher seal a comeback 2-1 win for Motherwell at Ross County.

“We left it late but we thoroughly deserved the three points.”

Stephen Robinson hails Motherwell’s win over Ross County.

Motherwell left it late but bagged a deserved three points at Ross County.

Declan Gallagher’s headed winner in stoppage time, following Ross MacIver’s spectacular debut goal, secured a 2-1 victory in Dingwall.

The visitors, chasing a fifth win in six, passed up a host of chances throughout before taking the deserved win at the death.

Stephen Robinson made three changes from the team which won at Kilmarnock on Saturday. Liam Grimshaw, Christopher Long and Liam Donnelly dropped out, with Richard Tait, Sherwin Seedorf and Liam Polworth coming in.

Despite the absentees, Motherwell went on the front foot from the off. Scott had an early free shot blocked by goalkeeper Baxter, Allan Campbell flashed a header wide and Liam Polworth sent a shot just wide of the left post after being set free by Jermaine Hylton.

But Ross County looked menacing on the counter and grabbed a goal midway through the first half. Sean Kelly’s pinpoint cross from the left was met by the run of Blair Spittal, who headed the ball past Mark Gillespie to put the hosts ahead.

Motherwell continued to press as the half wore on and came out the front foot again in the second period.

As the game approached the hour mark, the pendulum swung. Seedorf was felled as he raced through on goal by Lewis Spence, who was sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity just outside the area.

The visitors didn’t immediately make the advantage count as they struggled to break down a resolute County, but a substitution sparked the comeback.

Former Ross County youngster MacIver, on for his debut, picked the ball on the edge of the area. He looked up, saw the opening and found the top right corner of the net in remarkable fashion to equalise.

Motherwell’s tails were up. But the winner looked like it wouldn’t come until deep in stoppage time.

Polworth’s corner from the left was perfectly flighted, with Gallagher rising highest at the back post to power home a header and spark scenes of jubilation.