STEVIE HAMMELL has vowed Motherwell will not go into tonight's clash with Russian side Kuban Krasnodar trying to mount a damage-limitation job.

The Fir Park side's Europa League adventure already looks doomed after Ivelin Popov's second-half double at Fir Park a week ago left Stuart McCall's men with a mountain to climb in tonight's second leg of their third-round qualifier.

The 2-0 reverse was the third home European tie on the bounce in which the Steelmen have been beaten by the same margin following similar setbacks against Panathinaikos and Levante last season.

But after Well bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Hibs at Easter Road in their SPFL Premiership opener last weekend, the Scotland international is adamant McCall's side can upset the big-budget Russians.

Hammell said: "I think we have got to go out and be positive. There is no point in trying to mount a damage- limitation exercise.

"If you do that and things don't go right then you have no Plan B, and where do you go from there?

"We know the quality that Kuban have in their ranks and, in particular, the boy Ibrahima Balde was really impressive, while Popov took his goals really well.

"But the fact we have the Hibs game under our belts is a plus and hopefully that wee bit of extra sharpness from that one will be a plus.

"To be playing a side like Kuban in the opening game of the season is a huge ask given they are well into their competitive campaign.

"But if we can get the first goal - and hopefully make it an early one - the whole complexion of the tie will change."

Hammell added: "Last season against Levante we scored a perfectly good goal over there at 0-0 which was chalked off and, at the time, we were on top. If it had stood, we would definitely have been back in the tie.

"So we know we can hurt these sides and tonight at the Stadion Kuban is the time and place to show we can do it."

It was Hammell's misplaced pass which led to the gut-wrenching breakaway that caused Kuban's second goal at Fir Park - and the Well defender admits it led to heartbreaking sense of déjà vu.

The Fir Park favourite said: "We played the wrong pass and it was a case of here we go again. It was exactly the same as last season in Europe.

"That's three 2-0 defeats in a row at home in Europe and it looks like we haven't learned from that.

"That's what makes it all so much more disappointing. But we were beaten by a very good side.

"They were a yard sharper and created the better chances.

"We were still in the game at half-time but were maybe a bit fortunate against a side that hasn't been beaten since last November.

"But we are very determined to try and get something tonight."

With John Sutton hitting woodwork late on in the first leg with a header, Hammell has no doubt that is proof the Steelmen have the firepower to hurt Kuban.

The Well defensive ace said: "It would have been great if Sutty's header had gone in as that would really have given us something to work with.

"But I think you take a positive from that, and the fact that Sutty got on the end of another header, so there might be a wee weakness there for us to exploit.

"I do also think the Hibs game will be a positive for us in terms of sharpness, though, and especially with creative players like James McFadden.

"So if we can nick a goal over there, we will definitely give ourselves a chance."