Motherwell manager Graham Alexander urges players to keep up winning ways after 5-0 Scottish Cup victory

Motherwell manager Graham Alexander congratulating Tyler Magloire after their side's Scottish Cup victory over Formartine United at North Lodge Park in Pitmedden on Saturday (Photo by Dave Cowe)

Alexander was delighted to see his team bounce back from their 4-1 league defeat away to Kilmarnock seven days earlier by knocking Scottish Highland Football League club Formartine United out of the cup on Saturday, April 3, and wants them to keep up those winning ways rather than reverting to their previous patchy form.

The Steelmen finished third in the Premiership last season but are currently fourth from bottom and only eight points ahead of basement side Hamilton Academical, as well as being 21 behind third-placed Hibernian, following an up-and-down league campaign.

That inconsistency has been a recurrent source of frustration for Alexander but he hopes his players will be inspired by their five-star display at Pitmedden to match up to their potential every time they take to a pitch rather than just now and again.

Formartine's Aaron Norris battles for the ball with Motherwell's Devante Cole and Jake Hastie on Saturday (Photo by Dave Cowe)

“We let ourselves down in the previous game against Kilmarnock. We know that, and the challenge for us is adding consistency to our performances," said the 49-year-old.

“We have had real good spells picking up good, important wins against top teams punctured by negative results or negative performances.

“That is the challenge we have as a club, to add consistency to everything else we have got.

“We have got good players that are motivated and dedicated, but there has been a chink in the armour every now and then.

“We have got to make sure we finish the season strongly in a consistent fashion and pick up as many points as possible."

The former Salford City boss said he was pleased to see all three of his frontmen get on the scoresheet against the Sutherland side and hopes they keep their shooting boots on going forward.

Christopher Long scored first, with Jordan Roberts adding goals either side of the half-time interval and Devante Cole also found the back of the net.

“It is what they are in the team for,” said Alexander.

"We play in an attacking way and we need to provide them with opportunities, but they need to create them as well and work on the defensive side, which they do.”