Motherwell star James McFadden celebrated the club's survival in the Bank of Scotland Premier League by grabbing a hat-trick against Livingston in their last game of the season.

The Fir Park side twice fought back from a goal down, through Keith Lasley and Steven Craig, after Lee Makel and Colin McMenamin had netted for Livingston.

But the West Lothian side were left stunned when highly-rated youngster McFadden scored three second half goals to ensure an emphatic win for Motherwell before Lasley netted again in injury time.

Motherwell headed into this game safe in the knowledge that they would not be playing in the First Division next season, despite finishing bottom of the Bank of Scotland Premier League table.

Falkirk's bid to win promotion to the top flight, by groundsharing with Second Division Airdrie United, failed to win the approval of the 12 SPL clubs meaning that Motherwell are able to hold onto their top flight status for the next season at least.

Clearly boosted by the news, Terry Butcher's men should have been ahead just a minute after kick-off when Craig pounced on a poor pass-back by Julian Maidana before lining up the shot but he fired over the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box.

Motherwell then managed to put Livingston under pressure when Keith Lasley released Stephen Pearson but the ball was intercepted and cleared by goalkeeper Alan Main before he could pull the trigger.

Seconds later, the home side squandered another good opportunity when David Clarkson rounded the goalkeeper only to fire into the side netting.

Instead, it was Livingston who took the lead when Makel dispossessed Lasley before firing home from 20 yards out after 16 minutes.

Livingston were in search of their second goal when Scott McLaughlin's cross found Juanjo Camacho at the far post but his effort fell just over the crossbar and seemed to be covered by Francois Dubourdeau anyway.

They had another chance when David McNamee tried to set up Maidana and, this time, the goalkeeper was called into action to block the close range shot.

But Motherwell drew level after 29 minutes. McFadden's free kick was met by Clarkson who fired into the path of Lasley and he nodded home from a few yards out.

Motherwell looked like they had a decent penalty claimed denied just three minutes before the break.

McFadden released Clarkson into the area and he looked set to unleash the shot before tumbling under the pressure of McLaughlin but referee Dougie McDonald was unimpressed.

Makel tried to grab his second of the day for Livingston shortly after the restart but his effort was wide of target and Fernando Pasquinelli's rebound shot from a couple of yards out was cleared by the Motherwell defence.

But the biggest sinner was Barry Wilson who somehow missed from a few yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Livingston reclaimed their lead after 55 minutes when Camacho fired a corner into the box and, following a scramble, the ball broke to Colin McMenamin who slotted home from close range.

But Motherwell were back on level terms again a minute later when Craig took the ball past David McNamee before blasting home into the roof off the net from a tight angle.

With 63 minutes on the clock, the home side surged into the lead. Youngster Paul Quinn played a long ball into the path of Clarkson, releasing him into the box. His shot struck the post but McFadden was in the perfect position to slot home the rebound.

Motherwell were handed the opportunity to extend their lead after 72 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after the referee ruled that Clarkson had been brought down in the box, even though he appeared to slip on the wet surface.

McFadden stepped up for the set-piece and he cheekily flicked the ball past Main from 12 yards.

That was not enough for the young star and, two minutes later, McFadden completed his hat-trick when he slotted home from long-range, leaving the Livingston goalkeeper with no chance.

That prompted chants of 'Are you watching Berti Vogts?', after the Scotland manager's decision to drop McFadden for the Euro 2004 qualifier against Germany in a couple of weeks time, hinting the youngster had lost his confidence.

Lasley had scored earlier in the game and he netted in injury time to ensure a memorable end to the campaign for Motherwell before the final whistle sparked a pitch invasion by the home fans.

Teams

Motherwell Dubourdeau, Corrigan (Ballantyne 74), Lasley, Kinniburgh, Hammell, Quinn, McDonald, McFadden, Pearson, Craig (Wright 77), Clarkson (Scott 84).

Subs Not Used: Ewings, Higgins.

Booked: Lasley, McFadden.

Goals: Lasley 30, Craig 57, McFadden 64, 74 pen, 75, Lasley 90.

Livingston Main, Brinquin, Camacho (Bingham 71), Brittain (O'Brien 63), Maidana, Wilson, Makel, McMenamin, Scott McLaughlin, Pasquinelli, McNamee.

Subs Not Used: Xausa, Lopez, Paul McLaughlin.

Booked: McMenamin, McNamee.

Goals: Makel 16, McMenamin 54.

Att: 4,790

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).