Motherwell boss hails players' courage in winless run adversity as they end streak to boost top six bid

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander joked his side needed umbrellas to shield themselves from all the criticism that's come their way of late.

But he praised his Steelmen for showing courage in the face of adversity to end their 11-game wait for a win, as it rained goals in a thrilling triumph over St Mirren.

A pulsating Premiership clash at Fir Park delivered six-goals and put Motherwell's top-six destiny firmly in their own hands, with a win at Livingston in the final pre-split clash next week guaranteeing their spot.

As has often been the case this season, the Fir Park side conceded the first goal when Eamonn Brophy pounced to net an early opener and give ex-Well boss Stephen Robinson a dream start on his Fir Park return.

It would have been easy for heads to go down and fear the winless streak would stretch to 12 games, but instead Alexander's side responded emphatically with two-goals in a minute from Sean Goss and Connor Shields to turn the game on its head in a breathless first half that served up five goals.

Conor McCarthy pulled the Buddies level before Dean Cornelius put 'Well back in front on the stroke of half time, while a Richard Tait own goal late on - originally credited to Shields - sealed the win and saw 'Well climb to fifth in the table with their first victory since Boxing Day.

Asked how he had found the recent criticism, Alexander said: "I've had 34 years of it, don't worry. It's like living in Scotland, it's going to rain sometimes.

"It doesn't make it a rubbish country, you still want to live here and work here.

"It's the same in football. I love it, but sometimes it rains and you have to put your umbrella up and take it sometimes.

"And sometimes you haven't got an umbrella and you get soaked.

"It's