Jekyll and Hyde nature of Motherwell FC illustrated again in 4-1 loss at Kilmarnock

Back to back February home losses – 4-1 to Hamilton Accies and 3-0 against St Johnstone – plunged ’Well into the thick of the relegation dogfight before morale was boosted at St Mirren (0-0), Hibs (2-0 win) and at home to Livingston (3-1 success).

But – two weeks after the Livi game – a second half collapse and alarming defensive mistakes cost the Steelmen dearly in Saturday’s disappointing 4-1 reverse at Kilmarnock.

While a win in Ayrshire would have had ’Well all but safe with just five post split games remaining, defeat means the ninth placed side are six points ahead of 10th placed Ross County, seven ahead of second bottom Killie and eight clear of bottom dogs Hamilton Accies.

’Well manager Graham Alexander said post match: "We are in a fight from now until the end of the season. We have to win as many points as possible.

"You can’t go to Hibs two or three weeks ago, completely dominate and win a game, and then come to the team at the bottom of the table and get a result like that.

"It happened to us a month ago against Hamilton. We have been beat 4-1 twice now by the team at the bottom of the table which tells myself and everyone around that there’s a problem.

"I’m disappointed with the goals we lost. I don’t think they were particularly good goals; it’s not ones that you can’t do anything about.

"So we have to look at ourselves and how we could have defended them better.

"But I just thought all over the pitch we were nowhere near a level of intensity to win a game of football.

"Every time I speak to somebody I’ve been saying about the work we have to do from now until the end of the season.”

Motherwell’s next fixture will come in a Scottish Cup third round tie at Formartine United or Annan Athletic (who will play their second round tie tomorrow night, Tuesday) on Saturday, April 3.

The Steelmen’s first post split bottom six league fixture will be played on the weekend of April 10 and 11.