CRISIS? What crisis? Motherwell’s inauspicious start to the Ladbrokes Premiership was never an issue, according to Stephen Robinson, as his side professionally claimed their place in the last eight of the Betfred Cup.

Some supporters were concerned after an opening day defeat to Hibs was followed by a derby loss to Hamilton.

Robinson, however, says there were no fears within the camp as Danny Johnson sealed the deal at the Tony Macaroni Arena on his first start since signing from National League side Gateshead.

He said: “There was never any panic from me. If you looked at our injury list from last year we couldn’t have coped with that, we wouldn’t have won this game.

“We’ve strengthened and we’re able to rest Alan Campbell who’d looked jaded. I genuinely believe that’s stood us in good stead.

“Of course, we can kickstart our season now. We’ve lost two games but now we’re into the next round of the Betfred Cup.

“In the first half we were very good. Their keeper made two great saves and kept them in the game, then Alan hit the post in the second half.

“Danny is a goal-scorer. Whichever combination I put him with he looks like he’s going to score. He hit the bar and had a super finish on that surface.

“So, we created a lot and could have made the game a lot more comfortable for ourselves.

“It was a super battling performance. The lads put a real display in.

“In the second half we dropped off and let them have the ball. They didn’t create any clear-cut chances. I thought our back three then back four were excellent. They dealt with any long balls that came in.”

Livi started the game superbly well but they couldn’t find a cutting edge after they went behind.

Stevie Lawless smacked a left-foot shot off the crossbar in the first minute after Motherwell failed to deal with Scott Robinson’s long throw.

Then player-boss Kenny Miller forced a terrific save out of Trevor Carson with a dipping volley.

Well clicked into gear in 19 minutes and Liam Kelly made a brilliant save to deny Richard Tait.

Then came the breakthrough. Livi couldn’t deal with Curtis Main’s ball into the box in 23 minutes and Johnson netted with a left-foot shot.

Kelly also made terrific blocks to stop Carl McHugh and Main putting Motherwell further ahead.

Livi created very little in the second half and Motherwell managed the game well.

Miller said: “It’s that final wee bit of creative edge we need to find or just taking a chance.

“Were they better than us? I didn’t think they were, but they took one of their chances and that’s something we never did.”