Don Goodman secured Motherwell's first home win since November 28 to put the Lanarkshire club back on course for a UEFA Cup place.

The striker finally broke the resistance of a dogged Jim Leighton with his 52nd minute header, after the keeper had made a series of good saves as Aberdeen attempted to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

The Fir Park side eventually ran out comfortable winners against the Dons despite the 1-0 scoreline.

But manager Billy Davies will be worrying about Derek Townsley, who was stretchered off the field in the second period. Goodman's early second half strike was no more than the big hitman deserved after a first period of total frustration for the home side.

Jamie McAllister denied Goodman with a block in the second minute before Leighton produced a series of solid - if unspectacular - saves. Goodman tried his luck from the corner of the area but a Cato Guntveit safely sent the ball into Leighton's arms. And the 40 year old denied Spencer with a diving save to his left seconds later.

Again the former Everton striker was prevented from scoring by Leighton when he hooked Paul Harvey's cross goalwards. But a deep sense of unease was beginning to show itself around the ground as the spectre of another home game without a win hovered.

Well had not claimed a home victory since November 28 and Leighton's relatively untroubled afternoon was frustrating for the home support.

Both sides found themselves with injury woes in the first period when McAllister was withdrawn by the Dons and Derek Townsley was stretchered from the field after clumsily falling over Mark Perry's challenge. Finally in the dying moments of the first period, Aberdeen forced Andy Goram into some work when he saved well from Arild Stavrum.

But the half ended controversially as Harvey saw a well deserved effort ruled out by referee Stuart Dougall.

Harvey rifled home in injury time after collecting Goodman's header on the edge of the area. But, after consultation with his assistant, Mr Dougall ruled the effort out for offside.

Motherwell were back into their stride after the break and Goodman flashed a shot just wide of Leighton's goal early in the second period. Leighton was again called into action three minutes later and although he fumbled Nevin's cross, he recovered to prevent Adams taking advantage.

Seven minutes into the half, Goodman finally earned the home side's just reward of an opening goal.

Nevin cleverly played the ball to Stephen McMillan on the edge of the area before the left-back lifted the ball into the box. Goodman rose highest and with Leighton diving one way, the former Wolves man nodded the ball the other.

The onus was now on the visitors as their nine game unbeaten run appeared threatened. A series of corners put Goram and his defence under pressure until Kemble finally cleared.

Andy Dow sent a wicked shot goalwards on the hour but the strike flew just wide. Substitute Lee McCulloch should have added a second for the home side after Nevin took advantage of a Soldberg error, but the striker drove wide from the chief executive's cross.

Goodman could have added his second with five minutes remaining but his header from Adams' cross dropped on to the roof of Leighton's net.

Goram produced a point-blank save to prevent Stavrum snatching an equaliser in injury time. But with Aberdeen looking as lethargic as this, there was no real rush for a second Motherwell goal - something the watching Celtic hierarchy of Kenny Dalglish and Tommy Burns will have noticed.

Teams

Motherwell: Goram, Corrigan, McGowan, Kemble, Townsley (Nevin 24), Valakari, Harvey, Adams, McMillan, Spencer (McCulloch 62), Goodman.

Subs Not Used: Nicholas, Craigen, Woods.

Booked: Goodman, Corrigan.

Goals: Goodman 53.

Aberdeen: Leighton, Perry, Anderson, Solberg, McAllister (Belabed 20), Bernard (McGuire 82), Guntveit, Zerouali, Dow, Winters (Clark 74), Stavrum.

Subs Not Used: Mayer, Preece.

Booked: Guntveit, Perry, Zerouali.

Att: 7,538

Ref: Stuart Dougal (Scotland).