MOTHERWELL'S stand-in captain Keith Lasley believes Saturday's victory at Inverness Caley Thistle proves they are back in business after a slow start to the SPL season.

Mark McGhee's side came from behind on a wet and windy day at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium thanks to a well-worked goal by Chris Porter and a majestic Bob Malcolm free-kick. Lasley felt the victory was more akin to the performances of last season, when they finished third.

The 29-year-old said: "That was a great win for us because it is always a hard game for us up here.

"The conditions weren't easy for both teams and weather like that can sometimes make it a bit of a lottery, but both teams tried to play when they could and luckily for us we have managed to get the win in the end.

"We came back from a goal down a few times last year. It is always difficult when you go one down, especially away from home, so to get ourselves back into the game and then get a winner is very pleasing and shows the strength of character we have in the squad."

Motherwell climbed to seventh with the win and Lasley, who again filled in at right-back, feels they can soon break into the top half.

The former Plymouth player added: "The manager has said we haven't yet reached the heights we did last season but I don't think we are that far away from the number of points we were on this time last year.

"It can only be good that we have managed to put points on the board without playing as well as we can.

"We definitely feel like we have the squad to push on and progress, and hopefully it is onwards and upwards from here."

Lasley, who is deputising for injured skipper Stephen Craigan, added: "It was two great goals. The front two worked really well together and it was a great finish by Chris for the equaliser.

"Then Bob has stuck that free-kick away really well. I was standing right behind it and the ball went straight in the top corner, giving their keeper no chance. To get the goal at that stage of the match was a massive lift for us and we managed to hold on for the three points."

Inverness manager Craig Brewster was disappointed to mark his 100th game in charge with defeat, especially after Adam Rooney had fired them ahead two minutes into the second half. He believes his young side need to show more maturity.

"We are a good team and we play some decent stuff but again we have come away with nothing," he said.

"I don't know how many times we have lost games this season when we should have taken at least a point. That is where we have to grow up and be stronger mentally."