Second-half goals from Kevin Twaddle and Stephen Nicholas were enough to secure all three points for Motherwell.

This was a game both teams were determined to win in a bid to improve their respective league positions.

But strong winds meant it was difficult for each side to create much in front of goal until Twaddle's opener in 72 minutes.

Nicholas had only been on the park for two minutes when he sealed the win with a last-minute strike.

Motherwell were held to a last-minute draw against Aberdeen at the weekend while St Mirren stole a late point against Hibs but both teams set out determined to take the three points from this game.

It was the home side who enjoyed the best of the possession in the opening stages and Derek Townsley came close with a low drive after seven minutes but pulled the shot wide.

High winds meant both teams were finding it difficult to create much but the away support were on their feet after 14 minutes when Tom Brown tumbled in the penalty box under the weight of Greg Strong but the claim looked weak.

A minute later the Saints striker had a decent attempt at goal but the shot deflected off Benito Kemble for a corner.

Lee McCulloch had a good chance to put Well ahead in 28 minutes. His shot came off a Saints defender but the striker followed through himself only to smash the rebound into the side netting.

A few minutes later Steven Hammell tried to pin-point Stuart Elliott in the box but the Motherwell player just failed to connect with the header.

The home side were piling on the pressure and a Jamie McGowan mistake allowed Kevin Twaddle possession. He crossed to Townsley but his shot was blocked on the goal-line by goalkeeper Derek Scrimgour.

St Mirren, playing against the wind, were finding it difficult to threaten the home defence although Brown seemed to have a running war with referee Gary Mitchell after claiming he had been tripped on a number of occasions.

Well started the second half the way they had ended the first and Twaddle came close after 51 minutes when he nodded just over the crossbar.

At the other end of the park Gary Bowman attempted a long-range effort seven minutes later but it only got as far as Townsley.

A few minutes later goalkeeper Stephen Woods had to punch clear to deny Bowman.

Seconds later, the Saints goalkeeper was beaten by Ged Brannan's long, low drive but the Motherwell player was just off-target.

Well continued to push forward but neither side could find the killer touch and put the ball in the back of the net.

Graham Fenton came close to giving St Mirren the lead in 73 minutes with a well-struck shot just on the corner of the 18-yard box but the ball was just tipped wide by the Well goalkeeper.

A minute later the breakthrough finally came. Townsley sent a long ball through to Twaddle who rounded the Saints goalkeeper before slotting home.

Saints manager Tom Hendrie swapped Ricky Gillies for Saturday's goal hero Steven McGarry with five minutes to go and with his first touch of the ball, the young striker had a decent chance which just flew over the crossbar.

But Nicholas went one better. He replaced Twaddle in 88 minutes and, two minutes later, grabbed a goal of his own.

Townsley was again the provider, sending a pass to the youngster six yards out and Nicholas obliged by firing home the second.

Teams:

Motherwell Woods, Corrigan, Kemble, Strong, Hammell, Townsley, Brannan, Leitch, Elliott (Ramsey 90), McCulloch, Twaddle (Nicholas 88).

Subs Not Used: Oueifio, Wood, Connolly.

Booked: Twaddle.

Goals: Twaddle 74, Nicholas 90.

St Mirren Scrimgour, McKenzie (Yardley 79), B. McLaughlin, Turner, McGowan (Sharp 78), Bowman, Murray, Gillies (McGarry 85), Baltacha, Fenton, Brown.

Subs Not Used: Rudden, McCaldon.

Att: 5,312

Ref: G Mitchell (Scotland).