Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell

Stephen McGarry (left) and David van Zanten battle for possession

John Sutton's late goal at Easter Road gave Motherwell their first Scottish Premier League win of the season.

Steven Fletcher thought he had given Hibernian the lead on 43 minutes but was ruled offside as he headed past Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

The visitors claimed for a penalty after the break when Chris Porter was challenged by Martin Canning, but referee Stuart Dougal waved play on.

And Sutton broke the deadlock after 79 minutes with a neat turn and shot.

Hibs were looking to recover from a midweek cup defeat to Morton, while Motherwell were aiming to build on their solitary SPL point.

The home side created the first real opportunity after four minutes when Fletcher set up Dean Shiels, but Motherwell goalkeeper Graeme Smith prevented the Northern Ireland international from getting a shot in.

At the other end, Hibs goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay was forced into a clearance as Chris Porter threatened for the visitors.

John Rankin found himself in space on the edge of the penalty area after 15 minutes, but his shot drifted wide.

Fletcher should have put Hibs in front after 18 minutes when Mark Reynolds failed to clear a cross. But, from inside the six-yard box, the Scotland striker shot over.

Sutton celebrates his winning goal for the visitors

Motherwell midfielder Stephen Hughes found himself in space after 32 minutes and his long-range shot was turned away for a corner by Ma-Kalambay.

Shiels then beat Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan before unleashing a tame shot that Smith saved comfortably.

Hibs had the ball in the net just before half-time when Shiels crossed for Fletcher to head past Smith, but the offside flag had already been raised.

Colin Nish was first to threaten after the break, but the Hibs striker's 25-yard effort was held by Smith.

Sutton then missed an excellent chance for the visitors when, unmarked, he headed Porter's cross over the bar.

The visitors claimed for a penalty when Porter went down under Canning's challenge, but referee Stuart Dougal waved play on.

Merouane Zemmama was introduced at the expense of Rankin after 64 minutes as the home side searched for an opening.

But it was Motherwell who made the crucial breakthrough with 11 minutes remaining.

Clarkson found Sutton inside the penalty area and the Englishman turned and fired high into the net for his second goal in as many games since joining the Fir Park club.

Hibs pressed for an equaliser, but substitute Steven Pinau's penalty claim was ignored by referee Dougal.

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Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen:
"Football is a game where, when you win, everyone sings and dances and celebrates. But when you lose, you moan and are miserable. We'll keep working hard and turn the results round.

"We were absolutely disappointed to lose so late on. Once again, we passed the ball well and created, not clear-cut chances, but half-chances.

"Unfortunately, we didn't score and then conceded one and lost the game.

"It looked like we were going to get a share of the points. It looked like there was only going to be one goal if anyone was to score. Unfortunately, they scored it."

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:
"Obviously, we're delighted to get the first three points but I've been trying to make the point all week that we felt we were in form. Last week, we played ever so well and didn't win.

"We weren't playing without confidence but with Celtic and Rangers coming up next, those are two games that we could just as easily lose.

"So, to go into those two games without a win would have made us feel a little bit uncomfortable."

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Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, van Zanten, Hogg, Canning, Stevenson, Shiels, Murray (Pinau 81), Keenan, Rankin (Zemmama 64), Fletcher, Nish.
Subs Not Used: McNeil, O'Brien, Hanlon, Chisholm, Campbell.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Lasley, Hughes (Fitzpatrick 81), McGarry (O'Brien 90), Clarkson, Sutton (Murphy 80), Porter.
Subs Not Used: Nielsen, Malcolm, Darren Smith, Connolly.

Goals: Sutton 79.

Ref: S Dougal

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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Motherwell's John Sutton 9.00 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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