It may still remain a distant prospect, but Europe remains on the horizon for Motherwell after they beat Kilmarnock 2-0 at Fir Park on Sunday night.

The winning margin might easily have exceeded the two goals Motherwell managed through Ged Brannan's 21st-minute long-range effort and Lee McCulloch's neat 56th-minute header.

Both sides missed chances, but the home team were the worst culprits as at times they hampered their bid to displace Hearts in third position and the UEFA Cup qualification that brings.

Motherwell chairman John Boyle revealed in the match programme his side's annual wage bill now stands at around £3million, and clearly reaching Europe would ease that financial burden.

Billy Davies' men are five points adrift of Hearts but have a game in hand, played on Wednesday night when Dundee United visit, ensuring at least one Scottish Premier League issue is unresolved.

Rangers are a point from confirming an inevitable title, and relegation from the top flight looks unlikely - much to Kilmarnock's relief after their recent revival was halted.

The failure of Falkirk's ground Brockville to meet SPL criteria means if they remain third in Division One the play-offs will be abandoned, with St Mirren and Dunfermline duly promoted.

Former Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram's anticipated comeback from an ankle problem failed to materialise, but Motherwell did welcome back John Spencer to the bench after an appendix problem.

Motherwell had the better of the lacklustre opening exchanges, although it was Kilmarnock who offered the first real threat when Tosh McKinlay's free-kick drifted just wide of the mark.

The home team had taken the bold approach of employing two wingers, Derek Townsley and Kevin Twaddle, but broke the deadlock from a more central source in stunning fashion.

Brannan took the ball some 25 yards from goal and measured a superb, dipping strike over the reach of Gordon Marshall but under the crossbar to put Motherwell 1-0 ahead.

A weak back pass from Frederic Dindeleux almost let Motherwell in for a second moments later, but Marshall was first to the loose ball to hack the ball away as McCulloch raced in.

Kilmarnock pressed forward in response, Ian Durrant feeding Gus MacPherson for a fierce strike which on-loan Bolton defender Greg Strong did well to block bravely.

A Mark Reilly corner almost helped put Kilmarnock level on the half-hour as Dindeleux met the flag kick firmly only for Stevie Woods to be equal to the challenge in the Motherwell goal.

The home side's instant response was a precise Twaddle cross which picked out Townsley, whose low volley at the far post was expertly pushed to safety by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Marshall.

After 36 minutes, Christophe Cocard combined well with Paul Wright only for a fine saving tackle by man-of-the-match Strong - and from the resulting corner Dindeleux headed wide when well-placed.

Townsley was given another clear opportunity after 40 minutes but hesitated when presented with another Twaddle cross, and his tame effort at goal was easily dealt with by Marshall.

Motherwell continued to create chances almost at will, McCulloch volleying into the side-netting and then Stephen McMillan testing Marshall again with an angled drive after a clever Brannan pass.

The impressive Twaddle again set up Townsley moments after the restart, but again he miskicked in front of goal with McCulloch unable to salvage matters at the far post.

Cocard looked Kilmarnock's most dangerous player. It needed a Martin Corrigan tackle to deny him, while from the corner which followed Wright headed just wide from close range.

Wright had another opportunity moments later when MacPherson's cross found him unmarked inside the area, but his volley was well held by Woods as Motherwell held firm.

Jim Lauchlan was booked for tripping Don Goodman and was to be punished twice as Brannan's free-kick was floated to the back post where McCulloch's looping header surprised Marshall for 2-0.

That almost became 3-0 with a flowing move started and almost finished by McMillan, who exchanged passes with McCulloch and Goodman before seeing his eventual shot beaten away by Marshall.

There was now a visible confidence about Motherwell's play, Twaddle unleashing a curling strike which again forced Marshall into action as Kilmarnock started to look beaten.

Spencer's return ensured him a huge ovation when he replaced Goodman after 73 minutes after Kilmarnock had made a change themselves, Gary McCutcheon on for Andy Smith.

McCutcheon could, and perhaps should, have made an instant impact when presented with the ball inside the box but he snatched at the chance, allowing Woods to make a low save.

Motherwell seemed content to play out time after that rather than avenge their 4-0 home loss to Kilmarnock back in February, considering their work for the night complete.

Teams

Motherwell: Woods, Corrigan, Kemble, Strong, McMillan, Townsley (Curcic 76), Valakari, Brannan, Twaddle (Adams 82), Goodman (Spencer 72), McCulloch.

Subs Not Used: Nicholas, Brown.

Goals: Brannan 21, McCulloch 56.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Lauchlan, Dindeleux, McKinlay, Holt, Durrant, Reilly, Cocard (Mahood 78), Wright (Abou 78), Smith (McCutcheon 68).

Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Canero.

Booked: Lauchlan.

Att: 5,429

Ref: J Rowbottom (Scotland).