LOUIS LAING'S headed goal against Inverness Caley will live long in the memory for the 21-year-old defender - because it is the only one he can recall scoring and helped Motherwell to a vital 2-1 home win.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest defender popped up three minutes after the break to power home a header to give Ian Baraclough's side the lead.

It triggered wild celebrations within the crowd as it signalled the first time in 2015 the Steelmen have actually taken the lead in a game.

Yet it also proved to be a landmark moment on a personal level for Laing as he explained afterwards.

"That's my first league goal, anywhere," said the centre-half, who was brought to the club back in January until the end of the season.

"I knew during the game because me and my mate were talking about it beforehand and he said I was going to score. That might have been the trigger and I was delighted to get it.

"I did score for the Under-21s, but I can't remember when it was. Hopefully I can get some more for the senior team. Obviously I was delighted to get the goal, but it is a massive three points for the team."

He is not wrong, either. Not only did Laing's goal provide Motherwell's first lead of the year, it also contributed to Baraclough's men claiming their first victory of 2015 as well.

It was an inspired performance from the Lanarkshire side compared to what their suffering home support have had to contend with for most of the season.

And even when Inverness debutant Edward Ofere brought the Highland club level with just 14 minutes left, Well still showed the belief and fight to claw their way back into the lead through a Lionel Ainsworth deflected strike six minutes from time.

Unfortunately for Motherwell, the three points were not enough to haul them off bottom spot as relegation rivals Ross County and St Mirren both clinched victories.

However, it was a dampener that Laing brushed off. He added: "All the lads put a great shift in and it was a three points that we needed. I didn't even know St Mirren and Ross County had won and the way the lads played here, I don't think we should fear anyone.

"It was a fantastic ball into the box from Conor and anyone could have come in and headed that into the net. Maybe it is a bit deflating to hear the other two sides had won, but we did our jobs well and it gives us encouragement for the game ahead and getting more wins."

Baraclough was keen not to single out players for prais, choosing instead to give credit to his entire squad.

And while all those who played in claret and amber received pass marks, it is undeniable that part of their upturn was down to Scott McDonald.

The Australian forward played in his first game since returning to the club and showed all the skill, guile and tenacity that clinched him a move to Celtic from Fir Park back in 2007.

Chosen ahead of Well top goalscorer John Sutton, the 31-year-old's running helped stretch the Inverness defence and cause problems before he was taken off to a standing ovation deep into the second half.

"It's important to win the first challenge in a game and especially when you see it coming from a new player," said Laing. "Scott's really made his mark. He only came into the club the day before the game, but he's loud in the changing room and he gets people going.

"Scott's a fantastic addition to the squad and you can see with the way he was pushing people on during the game that he is a great motivator. He knows his stuff as he's been around at loads of different clubs and we're happy to have him."