STEPHEN PEARSON had waited 11 years to walk out at Fir Park again in claret and amber.

And the midfielder wasn't prepared to let bad news elsewhere take the shine off the moment for him.

Pearson was brought back to the Lanarkshire side in January by Ian Baraclough to provide energy and some dig to the Motherwell midfield.

After two games at Parkhead and Tannadice the 32-year-old succumbed to a knock which then postponed his first home bow at Fir Park since 2004.

His presence helped Well earn a 2-1 victory over Inverness, their first three points of 2015.

However, for many supporters the celebrations were cut short when news filtered through that relegation rivals Ross County and St Mirren had also won.

But for Pearson, nothing could knock the wind out of his sails.

He said: "You're obviously aware of the other results, but the most important thing for us is to concentrate on what we do.

"If we win our games, it doesn't matter what the other teams do, and we still have them all to play before the end of the season.

"So if we focus on ourselves and what we're doing as a group, then hopefully we'll be okay.

"It's a massive three points for us. We showed good character when Caley got it back to 1-1, as they were in the ascendancy at that point.

"We showed a great appetite, and while the pitch wasn't great, we tried to press them as high as we could and win the ball as we know they like to pass it about and play through midfield.

"So we felt by stopping it at source, we would have a half chance."

As well as Pearson, there were a few others who more than made a telling contribution in Motherwell colours.

Scott McDonald enjoyed an industrious debut in the Well attack while winger Lionel Ainsworth came off the bench to fire in the winner six minutes later.

And Pearson said: "Scott is a top player, and he's played at a high level for most of his career, and I thought he was excellent for us.

"He gives us something different up front and he certainly played his part in the win."

Talking about Ainsworth's contribution from the bench, the former Scotland internationalist added: "I'm delighted for Lionel. He's been looking good in training and he deserved to get an opportunity which he obviously took with both hands."

Motherwell have the opportunity to build on their victory this weekend when Kilmarnock come to Fir Park.

It is also a chance for the Steelmen to pull away from rivals St Mirren as the Lanarkshire club play their game in hand.

For Pearson, Saturday just can't come quickly enough.

He said: "We're looking forward to it and we're confident.

"We worked hard last week and got the rewards against Inverness, so hopefully that's a platform for us.

"We can't rest on it, and we need to kick on and go again on Saturday."