Motherwell lead Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Lionel Ainsworth and John Sutton.

Motherwell started the game brightly and almost took the lead in the sixth minute when Steven Hammell flashed a low cross across the face of goal, but Sutton couldn't apply a strong enough touch to divert it goalwards.

It was the away side's turn to threaten in the 12th minute, when Billy McKay sent a left-footed volley towards goal which Gunnar Nielsen did well to parry away.

McKay tested Nielsen once more seven minutes later, but the Faroese goalkeeper denied him again.

However, Motherwell came back strongly and Ainsworth almost put his side ahead after 25 minutes, only for Dean Brill to make a sharp reflex save to deny him, but a minute later the winger scored the opener.

The 26-year-old burst away from the opposition defence before drilling a low shot beyond the reach of Brill.

In the 34th minute, Sutton made it 2-0 with a simple header from a teasing Hammell cross.