Robinson pleased to see Motherwell making strides

And Fir Park boss Robinson was quick to credit Hastie after his return last month from a loan spell with Alloa.

"The quality at the top end of the pitch is the big difference in what we have now and before Christmas," said Robinson. "Jake Hastie is like a new signing."

Robinson also recognised the thankless role carried out by lone striker Main as he added: "I am delighted Curtis got his just rewards with a goal.

"He has a lonely job where he has to scrap and fight but he holds up the ball well for others. He doesn't hide and perhaps fans don't appreciate the job he does."

Conversely, Lions boss Gary Holt was critical of his players for not working as a team as they attempt to recover the terrific form shown earlier in the season.

Despite creating some good chances between Motherwell's strikes, in the end the visitors were comfortably beaten by a three-goal margin for the second consecutive week.

Holt added: "We have to get back to the basics. Working collectively got us the success we have already had this season.

"As the manager I give people instructions and a game plan to carry out and if it goes wrong then I'll turn round and say I've made a mess of it.

"But if the players go away from what we are doing or how we approach the game then maybe it is a bit of overconfidence and some thinking we can do better rather than sticking to what we are good at.

"I've said to the players it's a man's game, it's a harsh world. It's an individual sport where we look after each other but it's collective in how we achieve things.

"So we dust ourselves down, get on with it and look ahead to another game (against Hearts at Tynecastle) in midweek."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '47936761-9b7e-44c0-bbc2-7941ecb71906');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Robinson pleased to see Motherwell making strides'});