Motherwell 2-0 Dundee United

Foran (right) celebrates after scoring his second goal

Two goals from Richie Foran gave Motherwell a much-needed win and United their first defeat under new manager Craig Brewster.

Foran's bursting run and cool finish from 12 yards gave the home side a first-half lead.

Foran then grabbed his second goal after the interval when he nodded home Brian Kerr's inswinging corner.

Stephen Hammell could have made it worse for United when his free-kick came back off the post.

Both managers named unchanged sides, made possible by appeals against red cards shown to 'Well substitute Abel Thermeus and United's Barry Robson in midweek.

Motherwell started with more purpose and Scott McDonald beat the offside trap in the eighth minute to latch on to Kevin McBride's pass down the right.

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He cut inside and laid the ball back to Alan McCormack whose first shot was blocked before a powerful low drive from the edge of the box was saved by Derek Stillie's legs.

United were happy to sit back and look to break and Collin Samuel almost took advantage of a slip by Brian McLean.

But the United frontman's poor touch allowed Graeme Smith to dive bravely at his feet and avert the danger.

United were posing more of an attacking threat with David Fernandez looking dangerous but it was Motherwell who broke to deadly effect in the 27th minute.

McDonald played a fine through ball from wide on the left and Foran burst forward, brushed off a despairing challenge and slipped the ball past Stillie into the far corner.

The Taysiders pushed forward as the second half got underway and won a free-kick 25 yards out.

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It was played short to an unmarked Charlie Mulgrew just inside the box on the left channel but his weak effort was easily saved.

United fans claimed for a penalty when McLean went up with his hand raised but the ball fell for David McCracken who shot wide from 12 yards.

Foran grabbed his second in the 57th minute when he rose at the back post to nod Kerr's corner down and into the net.

McCormack moved wide right after Phil O'Donnell replaced McBride midway through the half and the Irishman almost scored instantly after latching on to Martyn Corrigan's lofted ball.

However, Stillie was quickly off his line to block.

Steven Hammell almost made it 3-0 when he curled his free-kick over the wall but the ball struck the base of the post.

Samuel then turned well on the edge of the box and got a decent low strike on target but the 'Well keeper got down to smother.

United had four strikers on by the end of the game after Lee Miller and David Goodwillie were introduced but they never looked likely to spoil Motherwell's first clean-sheet since 10 December.

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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell, McBride (O'Donnell 67), Kerr, McCormack (Fagan 73), Foran, Hamilton, Scott McDonald (McGarry 89). Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Thermeus, Darren Lee Smith, Reynolds.

Booked: McCormack, Hammell.

Goals: Foran 27, 57.

Dundee Utd: Stillie, Duff, McCracken, Archibald, Mulgrew, McInnes (Miller 61), Kerr (Goodwillie 86), Brebner, Robson, Fernandez, Samuel. Subs Not Used: Samson, Kenneth, Robertson, Cameron, Gardiner.

Booked: Mulgrew, McCracken.

Att: 5,257

Ref: A Freeland