Kevin van Veen was once more Motherwell's hero as he stored alive their quest for a European place with a tense 1-0 win over Ross County on the International Power Stadium.
The Dutch striker climbed off the bench in 64 minutes and had scored the winner inside 4 minutes, burying a soft-looking penalty award.
That places Motherwell within the driving seat for at the least the fifth European slot the Premiership affords, as they leap-frogged their hosts.
That is an unbelievable state of affairs, with this solely being the Steelmen's second league win of 2022.
County had nearly all of the possession within the recreation, however in fact did not actually do quite a bit with it, whereas Motherwell soaked up the strain, hit their hosts on the counter-attack, and will have lead on the interval.
There wasn't a lot between the perimeters within the first half. County had extra of the possession for the primary interval, however did not do quite a bit with it, whereas Motherwell ought to have taken the lead via a Ross Tierney header that rippled the highest of the web.
The second half was a lot the identical, however van Veen's introduction turned the sport in Motherwell's favour, with the striker exhibiting his price after sitting out a two-game suspension.
Ross County boss Malky Mackay made one change to the aspect that drew with Hearts on Saturday, with Jack Baldwin coming in for Keith Watson.
His Motherwell counterpart Graham Alexander made three modifications to the aspect that misplaced 1-0 at Dundee United. Captain Stephen O'Donnell, Liam Donnelly and Joe Efford got here in for Bevis Mugabi, Callum Slattery and Kaiyne Woolery.
Ranges' progress to the Europa League closing means fifth spot will get a Euro slot, with Motherwell, Ross County and Dundee United battling it out for 2 locations.
Nonetheless, solely Celtic had left Dingwall with three factors in 2022, such have been County's house performances thus far.
County made the higher begin, with Connor Randall's cross from the suitable making its option to Regan Charles-Cook dinner, however his shot was deflected narrowly extensive of the suitable put up in three minutes.
The hosts compelled a collection of corners in fast succession, and from the final of them Blair Spittal's set-piece was met with a fierce strike by Jake Vokins, however Liam Kelly made a snug sufficient save.
David Cancola despatched a shot over the bar from about 19 yards in 9 minutes as county continued to threaten.
Donnelly had Motherwell followers' hearts of their mouths in 19 minutes when he performed a dangerous pass-back that Liam Kelly needed to hurry to succeed in earlier than clearing off the road. The midfielder was beneath no strain in any respect,, however performed a curling cross a distance away from his keeper.
It took Motherwell 33 minutes to have a severe effort on objective, with Efford's stike pushed previous the left put up by Ross Laidlaw.
Mark O'Hara's nook from the left was headed again throughout objective by O'Donnell, with Ross Tierney heading simply over, when he in all probability ought to have scored.
A superb County transfer ended with David Cancola sending a shot simply extensive of the suitable put up, with Kelly at full stretch in 51 minutes.
County went shut once more in 61 minutes when Ross Callachan's strike took a deflection off Jake Carrol on its well beyond the left put up.
Cancola then slipped Jordan White in on the left aspect of the field, however the former Motherwell striker did not make full contact on the ball and Kelly gathered.
Motherwell took the lead towards the run of play in 68 minute when sub Kevin Van Veen made his approach into the field, the place he went down beneath a problem by Alex Iacovitti, with referee David Munro pointing to the spot.
The Dutchman collected the ball and confidently slotted it into the suitable nook, with Laidlaw diving the opposite approach, for his eleventh objective of the season.
County tried to get themselves degree in 72 minutes however Joseph Hungbo bundled a nook from the left previous the far put up.
The hosts pushed ahead for an equaliser, however did not do sufficient with it, and Callachan despatched a shot nicely over the bar in 84 minutes.
Hungbo then despatched a harmful ball throughout the face of objective in 86 minutes, however with no takers.
County threw every part they'd at Motherwell within the 5 minutes of stoppage time, and Hungbo's long-range effort crept via in direction of the underside left nook, just for Kelly to brilliantly push it extensive, three minutes in.
Nonetheless, Motherwell held on for an awesome outcome that would breathe new life into the tip of their season, with Hearts and Celtic nonetheless to come back.
ROSS COUNTY: Laidlaw, Randall (Watson, 55), Baldwin, Iacovitti, Vokins (Wright, 85), Cancola (Samuels, 76), Tillson (Hungbo, 46), Spittal, Callachan, Charles-Cook dinner, White.
Subs (not used): Munro (GK), Sims, Burroughs, Drysdale, Paton.
Booked: Tillson (42), Iacovitti (90+3)
MOTHERWELL: Kelly, O'Donnell, Ojala (Slattery, 64), Lamie, Carroll, Goss, O'Hara, Donnelly, Tierney (Shaw, 72), Efford (Van Veen, 74), Shields (Cornelius, 84).
Subs (not used): Connolly (GK), Campbell, Mahon.
Booked: Ojala (14), Goss (74), van veen (84)
Referee: David Munro.
Attendance: 3067.
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