IAN BARACLOUGH has reassured Motherwell fans there will be no repeat of the Hamilton horror shows tonight.

The Lanarkshire rivals have met twice on SPFL Premiership duty this season, with Accies winning the first encounter 4-0 at Fir Park before battering Well 5-0 on New Year's Day.

However, much has changed since that encounter, which was only Baraclough's third game in charge of the Steelmen.

Hamilton have only won a single game since - and none under the guidance of new boss Martin Canning - while Motherwell have shown signs of promise in recent weeks by taking four points from their last nine.

Of course, the memory of the defeat on January 1 is not something Baraclough will forget in a while, but the Fir Park manager is sure the great strides taken by his team since will lead to a different outcome.

"It was my third game in charge and, after the first two, I was looking to get three points and building on what we had produced," he reflected.

"I suppose it was a kick up the backside for everybody and a reminder this game can have a nasty habit of biting you when you least expect it.

"For me, I took it out on the family because it was the first time they'd come up, so they were banned from any future games.

"I think both squads have changed and form is different from the last time. It just shows every game is different and it's one we'll attack with enthusiasm. We look forward to it.

"I've seen a big difference [in Motherwell's form]. Even the last month has been a lot different to the first couple.

"We knew there were going to be a fair few changes, there needed to be. Players were still getting used to how I wanted them to work and the lads are now coming together. You can see we've improved and we need to keep that going now."

Baraclough remains confident his side will go into tonight's match filled with the belief that has brought life to their relegation survival bid.

At Pittodrie seven days ago, Motherwell conspired to throw away the points with two moments of madness from goalkeeper George Long just minutes after the break, but the Well boss insists he and his team are unshaken.

Baraclough said: "I thought the first-half performance last week was one of the best I've seen. When we looked back on it there was a lot of good stuff, apart from three or four minutes that sets you on the back foot.

"That changed the complexion of the game and you are chasing it rather than being in full control.

"We have looked at the positives and the goals we lost. I'm someone who prefers to look forward and I'm looking forward to tonight."