First half goals from youngster James McFadden and new signing Dirk Lehmann gave Motherwell a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

In an opening 45 minutes played in monsoon conditions the Fir Park side looked the hungrier and were good value for their first half lead.

Killie fought back after the interval but it was too little too late as they found the home side in fine defensive form.

The game began in a downpour and immediately conditions became tricky for both sets of players, many of whom looked as if they would rather be elsewhere on what was a terrible night for football - with the size of the crowd suffering as a result.

The home side had a couple of early free-kicks from good wide positions which came to nothing but there was nothing in the way of clear-cut chances.

Killie's Ally Mitchell had the first effort of the game after nine minutes but the midfielder's shot from 25 yards was easily saved by Motherwell keeper Stephen Woods.

But it was the home side who took the lead after 12 minutes with a lovely free-kick from 25 yards, McFadden's curling shot giving Gordon Marshall no chance.

Moments later Keith Lasley came close with a header from six yards which Marshall did well to tip over for a corner.

The home side were enjoying a good spell of possession and looked likely to add to their lead against a struggling Rugby Park outfit who couldn't get to grips with the conditions.

As the rain continued the visitors upped their work-rate in an attempt to get back into the game - but met with a disciplined and organised Fir Park rearguard marshalled by the commanding Karl Ready.

And on 27 minutes the Lanarkshire men doubled their lead with new signing Lehmann grabbing his first goal for his new club.

Steven Hammell took a short corner to McFadden on the right and when the youngster's cross reached the far post, the former Hibs striker was unmarked and volleyed home from eight yards out.

At the other end, as the visitors at last seemed to wake from their slumber, Antonio Calderon came close with a shot from the edge of the box which went inches wide.

The rain stopped during the interval but the visitors continued to swim against the tide as a confident Motherwell jealously guarded their lead.

Within a minute of the restart Frenchman Yann Soloy had tested Marshall with a low drive which the former Celtic keeper did well to hold.

Kilmarnock were putting in plenty of effort but lacked a cutting edge and the Fir Park side soaked up the pressure whilst looking dangerous on the counter attack.

In 56 minutes, as Kilmarnock continued to peg the Lanarkshire men back into their own half, Calderon sent a dangerous ball across the six-yard box from wide on the right but - frustratingly found no takers.

At the other end Marshall pipped Motherwell striker Stuart Elliott in a race to a through ball, highlighting the threat the home side posed on the break.

A series of niggling fouls from both sides threatened to spoil the game and referee Garry Mitchell had his work cut out to keep the action flowing.

In the 68th minute Caldron had a go from a free-kick, this time from longer distance - but once again his effort was wide of the target.

Killie continued to battle away and manager Bobby Williamson introduced Stephen Murray and Kris Boyd in a desperate attempt to rescue the game - but it was to no avail.

Teams:

Motherwell: Woods, Ready, Strong, Deloumeaux, Hammell, Lasley, Leitch (Martinez 81), Soloy (Corrigan 74), Elliott, Lehmann, McFadden (Pearson 84).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Adams.

Booked: Ready, McFadden, Leitch, Hammell, Lehmann.

Goals: McFadden 13, Lehmann 27.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, Canero, McGowne, Dindeleux, Hay, Fowler (Murray 77), Mitchell, Mahood, Calderon (McLaren 84), Johnson, Dargo (Boyd 81).

Subs Not Used: Hessey, Meldrum.

Booked: McGowne, Murray.

Att: 4,342

Ref: G Mitchell (Scotland).