IT was more Lionel Messi than Lionel Ainsworth.

But for the Motherwell winger, his magic moment at Rugby Park on Saturday could not have come at a better time as he embarks on what will be a landmark year in his career.

It was Ainsworth’s darting run and audacious first-time chip over Jamie MacDonald that sent his team on their way to an opening day victory over Kilmarnock.

Yes, it carried great importance to Mark McGhee’s team as they look to take that form into tomorrow night’s Betfred Cup tie away to Celtic, yet the ball that looped into an empty net was not without its personal significance to Ainsworth.Glasgow Times: Motherwell's Marvin Johnson (left) celebrates his goal with Lionel Ainsworth

The 28-year-old is now entering the final year of his contract at Fir Park having endured a tumultuous spell since the turn of the year.

With a regular run in the first team hard to come by, the winger suffered a dent in confidence back in February when his mistake led to the concession of a costly late goal at Firhill.

That blow knocked the talented forward off a stride that he has looked to have re-established during a promising run in all four of Motherwell’s games so far this term.

And after his first goal on Saturday, he’s keener than ever to make his mark.

“We’ve had a few injuries and while that’s never good, I’ve got my chance. I’m taking it,” Ainsworth told SportTimes.

“I’m in the final year of my contract so I need to be playing. That’s what I want to be doing. Only I can take myself out the team.

“But if I’m performing and scoring goals, along with my friends, I’ll stay in the time.

“My family enjoy it here and Motherwell have been brilliant with me for the last three years.

“I’ve got another year left and that will always be one of the things at the forefront of my mind, but I have to try and focus. If I do that then the football will take care of itself.”

Ainsworth was happy to look back on his cheeky chip that put Motherwell 1-0 up against Kilmarnock.

The effort was reminiscent of a similar strike he attempted at Parkhead back in December with the game locked at 0-0, only for it to sail over Craig Gordon’s bar. However, he was confident there would not be a repeat this time.

“I was delighted with it,” he said. “I want to score goals. I felt as if I could have scored a few in the Betfred Cup group but it wasn’t to be.

“If I could score more in the league and help the team gain points I’ll be happy with that.

“I’ve gone through beyond the defender and suddenly I thought ‘hey I’m on goal here!’ and you just get happy. Then you think ‘Right, now what do I do?’

“I saw the keeper move and as soon as he did that I thought I’d go over the top of him. With the little bit of rain that we had it helped me get underneath the ball and I just knew it was going in.

“I was telling myself before the game ‘just visualise scoring’, I didn’t quite picture it like that but I want to get more.”

Reflecting on the result itself, Ainsworth added: “Marvin’s goal was great too with a top ball in from Cads.

“I think we could have finished the job off a little earlier with the chances we had but that happens.

“It’s a test of character. We scored our two goals at vital times. You need that. But towards the end the boys did well to see it out. Particularly our back four and the boys that came on.

“It was a great team performance.”