KENNY BLACK could be forgiven if, at training this week, he held up an inflated leather sphere in front of his Motherwell squad and explained:

"This is a ball."

The caretaker manager was left in a mood to match his surname as his players crashed to another defeat on Saturday, their sixth in their last seven games.

It took a late goal from Josh Meekings to secure a 3-1 victory for Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium but Black readily conceded afterwards that the scoreline had flattered his flops.

What made it even more galling and bewildering for him was that he had selected the same starting XI that had deservedly beaten Dundee United 1-0 at Fir Park in their last match 15 days earlier.

"It wasn't good enough, simple as that," Black confessed. "I didn't think we caused Inverness any problems at all and at times it was like some of our players had never seen a ball before.

"I don't enjoy football after days like that. I like the game and I've been in it for over 30 years as a player, manager and coach but days like that are painful viewing.

"I don't think the team gave enough in the 90 minutes and 3-1 flattered us.

"It could have been more and as much as I enjoyed the game against Dundee United a fortnight ago it was the total opposite here.

"But that's the highs and lows of football I suppose"

Billy McKay gave the home side the lead after 29 minutes but Well hit back with their only attack of note in the whole match.

John Sutton provided the cutback for Estonian Henrik Ojaama to slot the ball past Inverness keeper Dean Brill.

Black admitted: "We were looking to try to cause them problems and our only attack in the first half resulted in a goal. But it was probably the only time in the game that we managed to string three or four passes together.

"The better team won on the day. I thought they were far better, far brighter and they passed the ball better than we did."

After spurning a series of chances Inverness retook the lead in the 70th minute when Marley Watkins headed a Graeme Shinnie cross past Well keeper Dan Twardzik.

Meekings then sealed the win for John Hughes's side but their margin of victory could and probably should have been greater.

The three points keep Inverness joint top of the Premiership, behind Celtic only on goal difference.

But Motherwell remain in 10th place, just two points ahead of bottom clubs Ross County and St Mirren.

And Black refused to use the current speculation over the future ownership of the Fir Park club - or even his own indecision over whether to apply for the vacant manager's post - as an excuse for his side's dismal showing in the Highlands.

He said: "There was also a lot happening behind the scenes before the game against Dundee United and we got the result. We're not going to paper over the cracks - it had nothing to with our performance here.

"It was hard work watching that and I feel for the supporters who travelled to Inverness. They showed a lot more enthusiasm than some of our players."