Hamilton maintained the bragging rights in the Lanarkshire derby with a narrow win over Motherwell at New Douglas Park.

A header from Dougie Imrie with 18 minutes remaining was enough to separate the sides in a scrappy affair with few genuine moments of quality.

There were pyrotechnics in both ends prior to kick-off, but the fireworks on the pitch took a little longer to materialise, the first shot on target a weak effort by Motherwell’s Theo Robinson after 8 minutes.

Accies had the ball in the net a couple of minutes later, but Lucas Tagliapietra clearly fouled Motherwell keeper Connor Ripley before heading home Ali Crawford’s delivery.

‘Well had a great chance when Robinson flicked a high ball on to release Lionel ainsworth in behind on the right, the winger taking his time before cutting back to Robinson who had continued his run to the edge of the area.

His side-foot effort was solid enough, but straight at Hamilton keeper Michael McGovern.

Hamilton were claiming for a penalty when Carlton Morris hammered the ball off Stephen McManus’s arm from close range, but referee Craig Thomson was having none of it.

Accies were uncharacteristically poor in possession in the opening period, and they gifted an opportunity to Ainsworth after half an hour, but his strike from 25 yards flashed wide of McGovern’s goal.

Crawford then almost scored an identical goal to his cracker against Hearts here three weeks ago, but this time his thundering strike with his left-foot after cutting inside two ‘Well defenders crashed off the crossbar.

Jake Taylor had a presentable chance for Motherwell after Tagliapietra half-cleared a Josh Law cross to the edge of the area, but he skewed his shot on the half-volley well wide.

The second half started in much the same fashion, with long-range efforts providing the brightest moments as Grant Gillespie volleyed a looping effort over before Gramoz Kurtaj stung Ripley’s palms from distance.

Motherwell should have taken the lead on the hour as neat play between Ainsworth and Louis Moult allowed Law to advance into the area.

His cutback was deflected to Robinson in space at the back post, but he took too long to get his shot away and Accies managed to desperately scramble behind.

Substitute Christian Nade then fed on to a long ball in behind the visiting defence, but Ripley got out smartly to clear off the giant striker for a throw.

Imrie then fed a lovely ball across goal that just needed a touch as it travelled along the six-yard line, but by the time it arrived at Crawford at the back post the angle was rather more acute, and he blazed his shot over.

Accies moved ahead after 72 minutes when a looping cross from Antons Kurakins led to a duel at the back post between Joe Chalmers and Imrie, with the latter outjumping the Motherwell full-back to pop a header across Ripley and into the net.

Docherty could have quickly added another after more tentative defending from the visitors, but Ripley beat away his stinging shot.

Hamilton saw the game out in relative comfort after that, despite a late penalty claim for a Jesus Garcia Tena handball, with the paucity of the visitors’ response sure to be a concern to manager Ian Baraclough.