Motherwell Aberdeen: Super Steelmen see off dismal Dons

Danny Johnson heads in his second goal against Aberdeen (Pics by Ian McFadyen)

Super Motherwell produced their best performance of the season so far to see off Aberdeen in Saturday's Scottish Premiership encounter at a freezing Fir Park, writes Craig Goldthorp.

This fine display against the Betfred Cup finalists swiftly banished the horrible memory of Motherwell's last league outing, a horrific 7-1 humbling at Rangers 13 days earlier.

The Well Bois were in good voice early on at Fir Park and the atmosphere was as lively as it's been all season.

And their enthusiasm was rewarded by two first half Danny Johnson goals and a David Turnbull strike after the break which comfortably secured the three points for the rampant Steelmen.

Johnson is mobbed by team-mates celebrating his double

Johnson shot wide with his left foot before Stevie May had an effort blocked at the other end by home keeper Mark Gillespie, making his first appearance of the season due to Trevor Carson's absence through deep vein thrombosis.

The Dons enjoyed more possession early on and wasted a great scoring chance when Graeme Shinnie shot wide from 12 yards with his weaker right foot on 20 minutes after Max Lowe's pull back from the left.

And Aberdeen paid for this miss just four minutes later when the Steelmen took the lead with a brilliant goal by Johnson. The former Gateshead forward ran from the halfway line after Niall McGinn's misplaced pass, bore down on goal, beat defender Shay Logan and slotted past Joe Lewis.

The away side wasted a great opportunity to level within four minutes when another Lowe surge down the left set up James Wilson who shot over.

Trevor Carson's replacement Mark Gillespie was impressive in goal for the Steelmen

Motherwell continued to look dangerous and Gael Bigirimana's 30 yard free-kick was turned round the post by Lewis.

But the hosts duly went two up just before the half hour when Johnson headed in a corner from the right by Bigirimana.

Newly installed keeper Gillespie then made a great block from Lowe's powerful left footed drive on 40 minutes to preserve 'Well's two-goal lead at half-time.

Johnson produced another lung bursting run from the halfway line on 49 minutes but his final shot was comfortably saved by Lewis.

But the third goal was only delayed five minutes. Main and Johnson put pressure on the dithering Dons defence, whose clearance deflected off Main to David Turnbull who shot in clinically.

Motherwell could have scored a fourth on 70 minutes when Peter Hartley headed well off target after Bigirimana's corner from the right.

Midfielder Liam Grimshaw - who had a fine match for the hosts - nearly made it four with a left foot shot on 80 minutes.

Aberdeen's miserable day was perhaps summed up by substitute Scott Wright's miserably weak shot at Gillespie on 83 minutes after a fine run forward.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait, Aldred, Hartley, Campbell, Main (Sammon 84), Grimshaw, Bigirimana, Mbulu, Johnson (Bowman 81), Turnbull (Gorrin 75).

Referee: John Beaton

Crowd: 5131