In-form Aberdeen gave manager Ebbe Skovdahl increased hope that they will be fighting for a European place in the top six next season after securing their third win in a row at Fir Park.

Goals from Arild Stavrum and Robbie Winters inflicted Motherwell's third consecutive defeat amid speculation that the club and manager Billy Davies had parted company.

The mystery as to Davies' whereabouts increased as he failed to show in the dug-out at any time during the end-of-season match.

His presence seemed to be missed on the pitch as well as his players were soundly beaten by the rejuvenated Dons, who have mangaged to currently rack up more points than sixth-placed Dundee.

Aberdeen possessed a dangerous threat on the counter attack and that almost brought them the opener in the third minute when they comfortably cut through the Motherwell defence.

Robbie Winters exchanged passes with Darren Young outside the area before sliding the ball through into the path of Darren Mackie, whose shot was saved by the feet of Jon Connolly.

The visitors were again guilty of squandering a gilt-edged chance in the 14th minute and this time Stavrum was the culprit.

Derek Townsley was caught day-dreaming by Cato Guntveit on the half-way line and he played the Norwegian clean through on goal, but he dragged his right-foot shot wide of the post.

Twaddle looked the most likely of the Motherwell players to produce something special and in the 19th minute a moment of individual skill almost broke the deadlock.

He cut inside Kevin McNaughton on the left wing and crashed a fierce right-foot shot against the Aberdeen crossbar.

But it was the visitors who continued to create the best chances and play the best football and they again missed a glorious chance to take the lead in the 21st minute.

Stavrum cut the ball across the face of goal which fell perfectly to the unmarked Winters, but he snatched at the chance and fired wide of the far post from just five yards.

The Motherwell defence were unable to cope with Aberdeen's attractive attacking thrust and Stavrum's right-foot shot flew just inches away after a quick lay-off from Winters.

But the Norwegian finally hit the net on the half-hour when Winters cut the ball back into his path, on the edge of the box, and he coolly curled a right-foot effort into the corner of the net.

Motherwell did create some chances of their own but they found Aberdeen goalkeeper Ryan Esson in fantastic form.

Stuart Elliott's weak cross from the left evaded everyone in the box before finding its way to the unmarked Townsley, whose right-foot strike was superbly tipped wide by Esson.

But Stavrum could have doubled Aberdeen's advantage three minute before the interval when Mackie sent him clean through, but young keeper Connolly again made the vital save to deny him.

Motherwell came back at the visitors before the break and only a block from Thomas Solberg, deflected Elliott's goal-bound strike over after good work from Twaddle on the right flank.

In the dying seconds of the half Said Chiba curled a right-foot free-kick agonisingly past the Aberdeen upright to give the home supporters hope for the second period.

But those aspirations soon disappeared in the 57th minute when Aberdeen deservedly doubled their advantage.

Stavrum got to the by-line and pulled the ball back to Winters, who failed to connect cleanly, but the ball looped over the head of the helpless Connolly.

Aberdeen were threatening to rip the hapless home side apart and Winters' 62nd-minute lob just landed on top of the net.

Motherwell came back fighting and Stuart Elliott thundered a six-yard header just over from Paul Harvey's dangerous corner.

The home side showed great character in their efforts to throw themselves a lifeline and they almost pegged Aberdeen's lead back in the 73rd minute courtesy of a deflection.

Elliott play the ball to Steven Hammell in the box and his shot took a wicked touch off Whyte to send the ball flying past the post.

But, while Skovdahl and his players are continuing to wrap up the season in style and with renewed hope for the next campaign, Motherwell and Davies are looking at an uncertain future.

Teams:

Motherwell: Connolly, Corrigan, Ouiefio, Kemble, Hammell, Townsley (Ramsey 63), Chiba, Harvey (Pearson 71), Elliott, Twaddle, Wood (McFadden 76).

Subs Not Used: Adams, Woods.

Aberdeen: Esson, Whyte, Solberg, McAllister (McGuire 79), McNaughton, Guntveit, Darren Young, Belabed (Derek Young 57), Mackie, Winters (Clark 70), Stavrum.

Subs Not Used: O'Donoghue, Preece.

Booked: Belabed.

Goals: Stavrum 30, Winters 57.

Att: 3,905

Ref: I Fyfe (Scotland).