'Well triumph at Albion Rovers

The Steelmen - with new signings Ben Heneghan, Richard Tait and Jacob Blyth all making their debuts - had their first goal attempt after 10 minutes when Blyth’s left footed effort from an angle went beyond the far post.

Dom Thomas then shot straight at Rovers keeper Ross Stewart before Marvin Johnson produced a great piece of skill during a fine run but was eventually stopped.

Blyth hit Rovers’ left post from Louis Moult’s pass but he was adjudged offside, before Moult wasted a great chance to score when blasting over.

And ’Well paid for this miss on 22 minutes when Stephen McManus was dispossessed on the touchline by Calum Ferguson, who passed inside for Paul Willis to shoot past Craig Samson.

Johnson - Motherwell’s best player - sent in two dangerous crosses in quick succession but there were no takers.

And it was the English winger who set up Moult’s 36th minute headed equaliser at the back post. 1-1 and game on.

Johnson put the Steelmen 2-1 up soon afterwards when he collected Keith Lasley’s pass on the edge of the box, turned and rifled in a low shot which Stewart got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

The second half featured a succession of substitutions and it was Rovers sub Ryan Wallace who wasted a great chance straight away when he shot wide after being put clean through.

Fellow replacement Chris Cadden had a great run down the right for Motherwell at the other end but his cross was blocked.

The goal of the day came on 71 minutes when ‘Well skipper Keith Lasley brilliantly volleyed home from 18 yards after a corner on the left had been headed clear.

Lionel Ainsworth (one of eight Motherwell subs) had a low shot saved late on and it finished 3-1.

Albion Rovers: Stewart, Reid, Turnbull, Fisher, Gilmour, Dunlop, Shields, Davidson, Ferguson, Willis, McBride.

Motherwell: Samson, Tait, Hammell, Heneghan, Campbell, McManus, Thomas, Blyth, Moult, Lasley, Johnson.

Referee: Andrew Dallas

Crowd: 445