MOTHERWELL'S emphatic derby win over Hamilton caused a stir in the SPFL Premiership.

Going into the game last Friday having lost 4-0 and 5-0 in the previous two encounters, the Fir Park side blew away hapless Accies to lift themselves four points clear of bottom side St Mirren.

It was a landmark moment for a club that had failed to score more than two goals in a game all season, and one that had only recorded six league wins previously.

As many viewed it as a shock result, even taking into consideration Hamilton's poor run, those within the Motherwell camp acknowledged the triumph modestly.

Probably none more so than Lasley. The Well skipper has suffered more than most this campaign as bad results and poor form have conspired against his team.

However, as that 4-0 win breathes a fresh air of positivity into Motherwell's relegation survival hopes, the veteran midfielder explains a confident streak within the Fir Park home dressing room has always been there.

"You're always confident, but you need to back this confidence up with results," said Lasley. "I think we're starting to do that, and what it does is give the fans belief too.

"If we are going to get ourselves out of this situation, then everyone has to pull in the same direction.

"I think that's what's special about this club. There's a real togetherness both in the club and the community, and hopefully the things that are happening off the park hopefully enhance that even more.

"We're still in a difficult position, but we certainly feel we can compete with any team in this league if we can put it together in the 90 minutes, and hopefully we can show that more between now and the end of the season."

Motherwell have been forced to wait for the next opportunity to take a giant leap forward as the international break has curtails all domestic fixtures in the Premiership.

Well's next outing is a week on Saturday away to Kilmarnock, and Lasley is not worried about his team's recent momentum dwindling between now and then.

He said: The international break is always a funny one, and sometimes you wish there was a game the next day to build on the win.

"There are still one or two out, the likes of Stevie Hammell and Paul Lawson, so it gives them time to come back and by the time we come to the Kilmarnock game the squad could be looking even stronger again.

"I'm sure we can pick our momentum back up by the time we get to the Killie game."

Lasley also reserved a few kind words of admiration for Motherwell's derby hero Lionel Ainsworth.

The winger, who stays in Hamilton, hit a brace against Accies within a matter of seconds on Friday night including a thunderbolt effort from 30 yards out.

It was just rewards for the Englishman who has found game time hard to come by under Ian Baraclough.

And his captain added: "Lionel has that in his locker. You think back to Partick this season and Dundee United last, and it was almost a carbon copy.

"It was certainly no fluke, and in a tight game like that it can take something like that to turn the game in our favour.

"And getting the second goal straight after the first one really cemented our place in the game and put us in control of the game."

"I'm delighted for him after biding his time on the side too."