Saturday 20 December 2014 19:09, UK
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough was delighted to get his reign at Fir Park off to a winning start as his side defeated 10-man St Mirren 1-0.
John Sutton's goal on 72 minutes proved sufficient in Paisley after the home side had had captain Steven Thompson sent off after just 18 minutes.
Baraclough said: "It's credit to the concentration and the work-rate of the players that they have gone and got themselves the three points.
"It's never easy against 10 men, and speaking to a few people from St Mirren, they probably raised their game and it shows you that when the odds are against you just what a team can do.
"But we had to move the ball quickly, smartly and be patient as well until we found a chink in their armour with a fantastic goal.
"I don't think there will be too many better goals scored this weekend. It was a great team goal and I'm delighted for the players.
"I thought we were a little timid - and that's why we made a couple of changes at half-time to try and put them on the back foot a little more, and we managed to get the crucial goal."
St Mirren caretaker manager Gary Teale admitted his surprise at Thompson's first half dismissal after his tangling with Mark O'Brien.
He said: "I haven't seen it back, so I can't comment too much on it, but at the time I thought it was a coming together between the two players and both of them did exactly the same thing. If the referee has called it right, then well played. If not, it's really cost us big time.
"I said to the boys last week that I wanted them to be a bit more dogged and resolute, and I can't be more proud of the players after what they gave me today."
