Marc Fitzpatrick came in for the 19-year-old, who had not been born when these Lanarkshire rivals last met on league duty.

Well defender Paul Quinn returned from suspension with Steven McGarry dropping to the bench alongside Murphy. Hamilton manager Billy Reid made five changes following the Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat by Rangers.

Former Motherwell pair Richard Offiong and Simon Mensing were recalled along with Mark Corcoran and Derek Lyle, while defender Martin Canning came back after being cup-tied for the Ibrox clash.

Hamilton carved out the first half-chance in the 10th minute when Offiong shot from 12 yards after taking Corcoran's low cross with his back to goal, but Graeme Smith got down to save comfortably.
Chris Porter came closer for Well two minutes later when his 18-yard drive was pushed just past the post by Tomas Cerny following a clever dummy, and good link play by John Sutton.

Offiong had a long-range drive held by Smith following more good wing play by Corcoran.

Malcolm, who was booked for bringing down Corcoran, had a chance to repeat the free-kick winner he notched at Inverness last weekend, but his 30-yard strike was diverted wide by the wall.

John Sutton could not get a header or shot on target from Stevie Hammell's corner and return cross.

David Clarkson leapt well to win another Hammell corner but his header struck Porter in the six-yard box as the ball looked set for the far corner.

But the big striker made amends in the 37th minute when he glanced home the opening goal following Malcolm's free-kick.

Malcolm curled the ball goalwards from the left edge of the box and Porter got the slightest of touches to help it home.

Hamilton should have levelled four minutes before the break when Mensing drove forward and slipped the ball through for Corcoran, but the former St Mirren player dragged his finish wide from 12 yards with only Smith to beat.

Well still had time to threaten but Cerny held Sutton's header following a Hammell free-kick.

INTRO: Chris Porter headed Motherwell into a half-time lead against Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton at Fir Park.

The home side gradually got on top in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League derby and Porter glanced home Bob Malcolm's free-kick in the 37th minute.

Mark Corcoran missed a great chance to level though as he failed to hit the target when clean through.

Clarkson and Fitzpatrick exchanged passes as Well broke quickly early in the second half but the Scotland striker shot straight at Cerny from 18 yards.

Sutton shot two yards wide from a similar range after linking well with Porter, and the pair combined again as Well hit the woodwork in the 53rd minute.

Sutton's cross from the right found Porter six yards out but his header bounced off the inside of the post and fell into Cerny's arms. Malcolm was far too high from another long-range free-kick as the hosts continued to dominate.

They missed another great chance when Clarkson volleyed over the onrushing Cerny but wide of the post after Sutton had headed on Smith's kick.

Hamilton needed a change and Billy Reid brought on McCarthy and Stephen Ettien, who scored the extra-time winner in the cup tie.

McCarthy immediately made his mark by fouling Fitzpatrick, who appeared to kick out at the teenager, but it was James McArthur who joined Malcolm and Keith Lasley in the book for his angry reaction.

Hamilton soon had a much bigger grievance as Porter doubled the lead with another deft touch in the 66th minute.

The striker looked offside as he helped Clarkson's low drive into the net from inside the six-yard box and Cerny was booked as the protesting Hamilton players surrounded the assistant referee.

Murphy came off the bench and immediately had a chance for the third goal following a long ball but Cerny blocked his low drive with his legs.

Ettien created Hamilton's first chance of the half when he cut the ball back for David Elebert 15 yards out, but the defender shot into the sidenetting.

Hammell was booked for a bad foul on McCarthy, which sparked angry scenes on the touchline. A police officer and fourth official Willie Collum stepped in between Reid and Motherwell assistant manager Scott Leitch as the Hamilton boss made for the home dugout.

Well retained the attacking edge and Porter forced Cerny to dive low to his right to prevent him bagging a hat-trick.

Mensing had a chance to spark a late fightback but he headed straight at Smith from 15 yards.