David Ferrere marked a dream debut for Motherwell by grabbing a hat-trick to heap further misery on Hibernian and Easter Road manager Franck Sauzee.

The former Louhans player signed for the Fir Park side in midweek after impressing - and scoring - in an Under-21 game against Kilmarnock.

The 25-year-old replaced Scott Leitch at half-time and gave Motherwell a two-goal lead within 20 minutes.

Dirk Lehmann netted the third against his former side with a header before Ferrere sealed the win by completing his hat-trick 10 minutes from time.

The result leaves Hibs boss Sauzee still searching for his first Premier League win since replacing Alex McLeish in December.

Furious Sauzee had claimed that not one player had received pass marks for their display in the CIS Insurance Cup defeat against First Division side Ayr United on Wednesday.

And he was clearly looking for improvement in every department from the meeting with Motherwell.

The Fir Park side, too, were looking to return to winning ways after a reasonably good run which had been ruined by defeat at the hands of Livingston last week.

But neither side offered much in the opening 45 minutes of this game to provide much comfort for either their respective supporters or management teams.

The first real chance came after 17 minutes courtesy of a free-kick on the 18-yard line.

Stuart Elliott struck the ball well enough but Hibs goalkeeper Nick Colgan was alert enough to produce a superb save low to his left.

Elliott was given the chance to improve on that effort from the same spot four minutes later but this time he curled the free-kick well over the crossbar.

It was 35 minutes before Hibs actually called Motherwell goalkeeper Stephen Woods into action but he was able to deal with Craig Brewster's 25-yard drive easily enough.

The Easter Road side were lucky not to fall behind four minutes before the break when Paul Fenwick tried to intercept a move between Martyn Corrigan and Derek Adams and almost fired the ball into his own net.

But the Canadian could have set up the opener for Hibs on the stroke of half-time when he played the ball to Grant Brebner who bulleted a shot at goal only for Woods to just touch the effort over the crossbar.

Although Hibs had ended the first half well, it was Motherwell who were threatening immediately after the re-start.

Just one minute into the second half, Greg Strong unleashed a long, low effort that slid just inches past the post.

And four minutes later new signing Ferrere came close with a 30-yard free-kick.

The Frenchman was denied on that occasion but he ensured he would have a debut to remember when he grabbed the opener after 52 minutes.

Elliott burst down the left before crossing to Ferrere and the former Louhans player rammed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Hibs tried to come into the game more after falling a goal behind and youngster Derek Riordan came close with a long-range effort, which looked to have beaten Woods, but the shot fell just wide of the upright after 59 minutes.

Two minutes later, Hibs skipper John O'Neil had a chance to level the scoreline with a free-kick 20 yards out but, like Riordan, struck just wide of the post.

But the game was about to go from bad to worse for Hibs when Ferrere notched up his second goal of the day after 65 minutes.

Once again, Elliott was the provider as the 25-year-old fired past the helpless Hibs goalkeeper.

Motherwell left Hibs with virtually no chance of taking anything from the game when they scored their third goal after 73 minutes.

A Steven Hammell free-kick on the left flank was met by Lehmann and he heaped more misery on his former team when he headed past Colgan.

Motherwell could have added to that lead further when Hammell's pass was met by Corrigan but the defender volleyed wide from the 18-yard line.

Ferrere had only been given half a game to impress the home support but he grabbed the opportunity with both hands by claiming a hat-trick in his first outing.

This time, Lehmann turned provider and sent a neat pass to the Frenchman who netted his third goal from the six-yard line after 80 minutes leaving no way back for the dejected Easter Road side.

Teams

Motherwell: Woods, Corrigan, Hammell, Deloumeaux, Ready, Strong, Adams, Leitch (Ferrere 45), Lasley, Lehmann (Nicholas 89), Elliott.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Martinez, Ramsey.

Goals: Ferrere 53, 66, Lehmann 73, Ferrere 81.

Hibernian: Colgan, Smith, Murray, Fenwick, Caldwell, O'Neil, Townsley, Brebner, Wiss (O'Connor 62), Brewster, Riordan (Arpinon 78).

Subs Not Used: Andrews, Zitelli, Caig.

Booked: Smith, Colgan.

Att: 5,367

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).