A first half penalty from James McFadden proved enough for Motherwell to beat an out-of-form Kilmarnock on their own patch.

The Ayrshire side's cause wasn't helped any when defender Chris Innes was sent off early in the second half.

While there was plenty of action in the opening period goal-mouth incidents were few and far between.

The home side had the best of the opening period with Andy McLaren looking menacing on the right-hand side.

A dangerous ball across the face of the goal in the firth minute caught out the visitors defence but the pass was just ahead of Craig Dargo.

Another good ball into the box from McLaren was just too high for the unmarked Kris Boyd who was standing unmarked at the back post.

But the Fir Park side always looked dangerous on the break with McFadden a constant threat.

It took some cool play by Greg Shields to halt one of his menacing runs and deny him the opening goal.

Despite of plenty of effort from both sides it was the 30th minute before there was a shot on goal.

Keith Lasley lashed the ball towards the Killie goal from the edge of the box forcing a good stop from Gordon Marshall.

The monotony broken, Paul Di Giacomo then tried his lot at the other end but Francois Dubourdeau saved well at his left hand post.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 34th minute when the visitors netted from the penalty spot.

McFadden converted the spot-kick after Shields had halted David Clarkson's progress in the box.

McFadden almost doubled his tally a minute before the break but Marshall pulled off a good save from the fierce 35 yard free-kick.

Killie's hopes of an early breakthrough after the interval received a severe blow when Innes received his second yellow card for a foul on Clarkson.

A superb run by James Fowler in the 65th minute almost brought about an equaliser but Dubourdeau was quickly off his line to parry the ball away as Boyd stooped to head.

Kilmarnock tried to liven up their attack when they introduced Stevie Murray for Di Giacomo with half-an-hour to go but the change made little difference.

Shields wasted a good chance to equalise for the Rugby Park side in 75 minutes when the ball fell to him at the edge of the box but his effort flew high into the stand.

Fowler was denied by Dubourdeau 11 minutes from time when his shot at the end of a five man Killie move was turned away for a corner by the Motherwell goal keeper.

The home side pushed everyone forward in the search of a late equaliser but the visitors held out for a deserved win.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Fowler, Shields, Innes, Dillon, Di Giacomo (Murray 62), Mahood, Fulton, McLaren (McSwegan 76), Dargo (McLaughlin 57), Boyd.

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Hay.

Sent Off: Innes (52).

Booked: Innes, Dillon, McLaren, Fowler.

Motherwell: Dubourdeau, Corrigan, Kinniburgh, Partridge, Hammell (Cowan 80), Lasley (Fagan 86), Leitch, Adams, Pearson, Clarkson, McFadden.

Subs Not Used: Woods, Ramsey, Clarke.

Booked: Clarkson, McFadden.

Goals: McFadden 35 pen.

Att: 6,882

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).