FORGET the X Factor and Simon Cowell, Ian Baraclough is convinced Motherwell have been starring in the Fear Factor.

But the Well boss has encouraged his jittery players to overcome their nerves and build on Tuesday’s League Cup win against East Fife when Kilmarnock come calling tomorrow on Ladbrokes Premiership duty.

The Lanarkshire club travelled to Methil on the back of four straight defeats, a run of results that clearly had an impact on their performance for much of the encounter in Fife.

There appeared to be a nervousness in Motherwell’s play, a fact that was accentuated when they went 1-0 down to the League Two club before a late recovery.

Baraclough understands that his men are determined not to makes mistakes, but he has urged them to use the lift from landing a third round tie away to Morton to shake off any concerns and express themselves.

He said: “It’s a positive springboard winning on Tuesday, of course it was.

“We knew this wasn’t going to be an easy place to come and we knew it was a great chance for them to cause an upset.

“We have been playing with a little bit of fear and I don’t know why. They are good players who can perform better and they are uptight about making mistakes.

“They need to let things happen naturally and the League Cup win should give us a boost going into the home game.

“Sometimes you just find a way of winning games of football.”

As well suffering from stage fright as a result of a recent slump in performances, Motherwell’s players were also on the end of a host of jeers and shouts coming from their angst-ridden support on Tuesday night.

It is a factor Baraclough understands, especially when they know their team is capable of more.

However, he is hopeful that finally getting another win under their belt will help breed confidence.

The Well manager said: “I hope the players can now go and perform the way we know they can because it’s not easy when you are getting pelters and being shouted at, that makes you even more uptight.

“I can understand the frustrations of the fans who want to see better. That’s where your strong players stand up, you get tighter as a group and pull yourself through it.”

Tuesday’s fright was not entirely down to Motherwell’s nervousness, credit must go to Gary Naysmith’s team who performed admirably throughout.

The star man for the Fifers was undoubtedly Nathan Austin. The 21-year-old striker led the line superbly throughout and deservedly put his team ahead.

He was later substituted to a standing ovation from both home AND away supporters, and Baraclough was also impressed by the man who is a labourer by day.

“You must respect to the opposition, we weren’t going to go there and wipe the floor with them. Chelsea lost last year at home having been 2-0 up, that’s cup football,” said the Motherwell manager.

“Smaller sides want to topple the bigger side and you have to deal with that.

“The lad up front was allowed to turn and run at us at times which isn’t right and there is a frustration there.

“But he is a boy who wants to go and play higher. He’s got a chance performing like that.”