THERE was a statement from Ian Baraclough on Friday night that Motherwell can cause teams problems.

Unfortunately for the Fir Park manager, in their last two games that side has been his own as much as anybody else's.

Going into their derby with Hamilton Academical knowing a win was crucial in their bid to avoid a relegation play-off place, the Steelmen conjured up enough chances to win several matches.

They hit the bar twice, post once and brought out several fine stops from Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern. However, it was their errors at the other end which would prove deadly at New Douglas Park.

For Accies' first Lee Erwin lost the ball needlessly before Jason Scotland was allowed to run off two defenders to score, while Erwin again gave the ball away for the second as an unmarked Ali Crawford was afforded time to pick his spot.

They were two of a small handful of opportunities for the home side who frustrated their opponents from across the Clyde.

It was a similar story in Motherwell's last outing at Partick Thistle as slack defending allowed the Jags to capitalise.

"We've had some really good chances in the first half where we hit the post a couple of times and the bar, the keeper has also made a couple of saves," said Baraclough. "We weren't clinical enough in that respect.

"We were punished with two goals on their part that we had good possession of and we were guilty of giving it away and they broke away to be clinical.

"We created more than what they did. Second half it looked like we got a little bit ragged and a bit desperate. We went back to front too soon when we could have taken the extra pass or touch.

"That was sort of desperation to get it forward quickly and that wasn't our game plan."

It was an evening to forget for the talented Erwin as he failed to take the golden chances which came his way.

In the first half the 21-year-old was played in by Scott McDonald only to rush his shot and send it crashing off the bar, while in the second half his low drive was saved by the legs of McGovern late on after being put through one on one.

Despite those misses, Baraclough was keen to defend his young forward.

Lee hit the target and the keeper made a good save. He is one against one and he hit the target," said his manager.

"There were another few chances that fell to him. He looked lively again as did Scotty and John [Sutton] when he got on. We are going to cause teams problems and that belief that we can create has to run through the whole team.

"We probably didn't cause them that many problems in wider areas as we had done previously. That's something we'll look at."

The message to his team will surely be keep calm and carry on as the big games keep on coming for Motherwell.

With both Ross County and Kilmarnock losing at the weekend, there is still a window of opportunity for Motherwell to look to with 12 points up for grabs.

The Staggies visit Fir Park this Saturday in a match that could see the gap between the two sides shrunk to just three points.

And Baraclough told MFC TV: "We have to pick ourselves up, lick our wounds a little bit, take our medicine and come back next week stronger.

"It's a big game against Ross County at home. It's a game we are more than capable of winning."