Motherwell hammered another nail in Partick's coffin with a 3-0 win at Fir Park.

Steven Hammell, David Clarkson and Derek Adams were all on the scoresheet as Well recorded their third win in a row at home over the last seven days.

The visitors started the game well enough when Ian Ross chested the ball into the path of David Rowson for an early chance only for the former Aberdeen man to screw his shot across the face of goal and wide.

But their impressive start only succeeded in sparking Motherwell into action and they took the lead after 11 minutes following a couple of near-misses of their own.

Keith Lasley was brought down on the edge of the area by Ross and Hammell curled the resultant free-kick past goalkeeper Kenny Arthur in a moment that David Beckham would have been proud of.

Partick were hit with another blow just two minutes later when James Grady appeared to go over on his ankle and was replaced by Jorge Cadete but the appearance of the recently-acquired former Celtic player was well received by the visiting support.

Partick set about searching for the equaliser to haul them back into the game and that almost came when Jamie Mitchell crossed to the back post where both Cadete and Ross were waiting for the header but a vigilant Paul Quinn managed to intercept and clear the danger before either Thistle player could connect.

Thistle started the second half strongly and called goalkeeper Gordon Marshall into action five minutes after the restart when Rowson sent the ball into a crowded box only for Adrian Madaschi's header to be held by the goalkeeper.

Instead it was Motherwell who found the back of the net again. Adams' long ball was met by Scott McDonald out on the right flank and he fired into the path of Clarkson for the youngster to head home after 51 minutes.

Partick were determined not to give up and they could have pulled a goal back when Grant Murray picked out Gerry Britton with a long ball and the Thistle striker was unlucky to see his drive pushed over the crossbar by Marshall.

Thistle made their second change after 62 minutes when Kenny Milne was replaced by new signing Tom English - one of the six players sacked by Livingston when they went into administration.

Motherwell put the game beyond Partick with 10 minutes to go when they grabbed their third goal of the day.

This time Clarkson turned provider to supply the cross for Adams to fire past Arthur from 10 yards, leaving the Partick goalkeeper with no chance.

Teams

Motherwell Marshall, Quinn, Corrigan, Craigan, Hammell, Lasley, Adams, Fagan (Kevin McDonald 74), Scott McDonald (Craig 66), Clarkson, Burns (Wright 90).

Subs Not Used: Corr, Kinniburgh.

Booked: Adams.

Goals: Hammell 11, Clarkson 52, Adams 80.

Partick Arthur, Milne (English 63), Murray, Madaschi, Ian Ross, Mitchell, Billy Gibson, Rowson, Andy Gibson, Britton, Grady (Cadete 14).

Subs Not Used: Langfield, Bonnes, Chiarini.

Booked: Britton, Andy Gibson.

Att: 5,814

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).