Ross McCormack scored two second-half goals as Motherwell battled to a 3-1 victory over bottom side Gretna in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Chris Porter opened the scoring midway through the first half for the visiting landlords at Fir Park just after Brendan McGill had lofted a shot onto the roof of the net, and McCormack made it 2-0 two minutes after the restart.

McGill immediately reduced the deficit but Gretna were unable to find an equaliser despite giving Motherwell a series of late scares, and McCormack cashed in with an impressive late lob.

Gretna and Motherwell each made three changes to their starting line-ups for the basement side's "home" match against Fir Park landlords Motherwell in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Goalkeeper Artur Krysiak made his first start for Gretna in place of Greg Fleming, suspended after his midweek red card at Hibs, while head coach Davie Irons also brought in Danny Hall and Brendan McGill for the injured Aurelien Collin and benched Rostyn Griffiths.

Following his side's Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Dundee last Monday, Mark McGhee made two expected changes by recalling defender and captain Paul Quinn after suspension and striker Chris Porter - recovered from a knee injury - and also handed a starting berth to Darren Smith, with Brian McLean, Steven McGarry and Keith Lasley dropping to the bench.

In the 12th minute Darren Smith weaved his way cleverly inside from the right wing and drilled in a low diagonal shot - but Krysiak coolly saved.

Gretna came close eight minutes later - Quinn was short with a header as he tried to clear Kenny Deuchar's effort and Graeme Smith's block fell to the feet of McGill, whose lob just went over.

Motherwell took the lead when midfielder Stephen Hughes shot from outside the box, and his effort broke off a defender to Porter, who netted with a composed finish from six yards.

McCormack had another good chance just minutes later with a powerful near-post header from Quinn's cross from the right, but Krysiak again caught it safely.

The Gretna goalkeeper had to rush out of his area to head clear Mickael Buscher's long-range header from the advancing McCormack and David Clarkson tried to capitalise on the clearance but sent his effort just wide.

Motherwell almost doubled their lead eight minutes from the break when McCormack shot just wide.

John Paul Kissock, twice, and Gavin Skelton ended the half blazing over the for hosts.

Motherwell doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart when McCormack latched onto Hughes' high ball, and outmuscled his markers to sweep confidently past Krysiak.

However, Gretna reduced the deficit three minutes later with a well-worked goal - the impressive Kissock made ground down the left and found Buscher, whose cross from the corner was tapped in at the right-hand upright by McGill.

Darren Smith was gifted possession just before the hour and raced to the edge of the box where Krysiak made the save; Porter then smashed a drive off the bar and away to safety, and Clarkson dragged an effort wide.

Porter looked sure to have doubled his personal tally 20 minutes from time when he met McCormack's precise cross with a powerful glancing header at the far post, and the ball looked bound for the bottom left corner until Krysiak snatched it up to safety.

Instead, Gretna had two good chances to equalise as the game entered its closing stages - Ryan Baldacchino's 30-yard free-kick was tipped over the bar by Graeme Smith, and there followed two almighty scrambles from Gretna's two successive corners, with a Nicky Deverdics strike ultimately being blocked on the line by Lasley.

Gretna mounted a series of late assaults on the Motherwell goal and even had a late penalty claim waved away by referee Alan Freeland when Deuchar seemed to be pushed by Stephen Craigan - but instead Well sealed the win when McCormack latched onto a poor ball by Craig Barr and lobbed the goalkeeper from 20 yards.

Graeme Smith had to make one last save, pushing Skelton's powerful 20-yard free kick away for a corner.

Teams:

Gretna Krysiak, Barr, Meynell (Makinwa 89), Hall, Naughton, Kissock (Baldacchino 70), McGill, Murray, Skelton, Buscher (Deverdics 74), Deuchar.

Subs Not Used: Grant, Wilkinson, Schultz-Eklund, Griffiths.

Booked: Barr.

Goals: McGill 50.

Motherwell Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Darren Smith, Hughes (Lasley 69), Fitzpatrick, Clarkson, Porter (Lappin 83), McCormack.

Subs Not Used: Daniels, Brian McLean, Maguire, Jamie Murphy,

Archdeacon.

Booked: Clarkson.

Goals: Porter 25, McCormack 47, 90.

Att: 2,877

Ref: A Freeland (Scotland).