Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen introduced Merouane Zemmama in place of Rankin with 63 minutes gone as he sought the cutting edge required to break down the visitors' resolute rearguard.

However, it was Motherwell who finally found a breakthrough with 12 minutes remaining.

Clarkson finally found space after an afternoon tightly marked by Ian Murray and he threaded a pass into the area.

Sutton, with his back to goal, made the most of the space he was granted by the home defence to turn and rifle his shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

Hibs fired high balls forward in the closing stages but their hopes of snatching a draw drifted away as referee Dougal waved away substitute Steven Pinau's appeals for an injury-time spot-kick.

A John Sutton strike 12 minutes from time was enough to give Motherwell all three Clydesdale Bank Premier League points in a tight encounter at Easter Road.

The former St Mirren marksman pounced on David Clarkson's pinpoint pass to turn and drive in a late winner for the UEFA Cup-bound side.

Neither team created many clear-cut opportunities during a dour match which only came to life in flashes and Hibs were left again to rue their failure to turn glimpses of the target into goals.