Motherwell manager Mark McGhee hailed his players for their spirit to overcome tragedy after they put themselves on the verge of a European place.

Chris Porter struck nine minutes from time to give Motherwell a 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Fir Park following a dramatic second half.

Aberdeen winger Sone Aluko had cancelled out fellow sub Darren Smith's opener before Aberdeen thought they had gone ahead when Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith appeared to claw out Barry Nicholson's volley from behind the line.

But McGhee believes his team will deserve third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, which will be theirs if Hibernian lose at Celtic on Sunday.

They have maintained pole position for a UEFA Cup place for most of the season despite the death of captain Phil O'Donnell on December 29.

McGhee said: "If it does go for us, the lads deserve a lot of credit.

"It's them that are out there, and particularly post-Christmas, they have had to deal with a lot and they have helped each other.

"They have got around each other and have shown a tremendous spirit.

"There are boys in there who remain quite disturbed and emotional by events at Christmas, and they are still managing to produce performances and win points."

Motherwell's pitch has also caused numerous problems amid a wet winter and even a summer afternoon of celebration ended in a freak storm that flooded the inside of Fir Park following the game.

Despite the party mood amongst the fans, McGhee has told his players to be calm and delay any celebrations until after title-chasing Celtic play Hibs, who are four points adrift of the Steelmen.

But, if Hibs pull off a shock result, Motherwell still have an extra game against Rangers to clinch third before travelling to Easter Road on the final day of the campaign.

"We have put Dundee United and Aberdeen out the equation," McGhee said.

"Luckily we have Hibs to play, just in case, therefore it is still in our hands."

Jimmy Calderwood described the second half as a "wonderful advert for Scottish football" but he felt Aberdeen had been denied victory by a decision from the officials.

"We should have gone 2-1 ahead through Barry Nicholson," he said.

"I thought it was a great save at the time but the television people told me it was two yards over the line. My players were raging.

"That happened to us at Celtic Park and it happened today again. I think if we had gone 2-1 up it would have been very difficult for Motherwell to get back into it.

"But good luck to Motherwell, they have had a great season and I hope they enjoy it if they get into Europe. They are in a fabulous position."

McGhee, who was forced to dive for cover when lightning struck the Fir Park pitch during a post-match interview, revealed substitute Ross McCormack had been hit by illness in the closing stages, when he was replaced by Simon Lappin.

"Ross wasn't well," McGhee said. "He just came over with something."