As the season nears its end the games just keep getting bigger and bigger for Motherwell as they search for the UEFA Cup slot. Visitors Aberdeen had somehow sneaked into contention themselves coming to Fir Park only three points behind their hosts. Therefore both sides knew the importance of the three points.

The teams knew before the game that Dundee Utd had lost the early kick off at Ibrox, meaning a win for Motherwell would see United and Aberdeen knocked out of the race for third, with Hibs playing at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Mark McGhee returned to a more normal looking starting line up after tinkering with the team in the two previous games with the Old Firm earlier in the week. This meant three changes to the starting line up with Steven Hammell, Chris Porter and David Clarkson returning with Simon Lappin, Ross McCormack and Keith Lasley dropping to the bench.

Clarkson drives a shot over

The early stages were nervy with both sides looking to settle into the game, and it took until the thirteenth minute before Well's front two could combine in any way. David Clarkson played a one two with Chris Porter before firing a shot just over.

Surprisingly it was Aberdeen who took control of the game following the 'Well effort with Miller coming close with an angled drive and Darren Mackie driving a cross field ball from Barry Nicholson cross field ball across goal when he possibly could have chosen to shoot.

After both these minor scares Motherwell started to dominate the remainder of the half without really looking like opening the scoring. Although Chris Porter came close with a flying header deflected just over the bar from a Hughes cross.

With thirteen minutes left to the break Motherwell were awarded a free kick twenty-five yards from goal. There was a debate between Malcolm, McGarry and Hammell about who would take the kick, the left back won and his effort was tipped just over by Langfield in the Dons goal.

Darren Smith makes it 1-0

The first period ended with neither side really having establishing any real superiority in a nervy affair with both sides knowing what was at stake.

Motherwell made a lively start to the second half but despite the return of the bugle charge two early back to back corners provided no real danger to the Dons goal.

Another Hammell corner on the fifty-eighth minute was swung deep into the six yard box allowing Clarkson to climb above Duff but he could only send his header looping over the cross bar. Minutes later the feat was repeated with Porter sending the header over this time.

Motherwell's persistence finally paid off on the hour mark, Stephen Hughes made a surging run down the right before his cross picked pout Chris Porter. The striker's knock down fell kindly for sub Darren Smith whose first effort was blocked but he reacted quickly to poke the rebound over the line to spark wild celebrations around Fir Park.

Wild celebrations at Fir Park

The celebrations didn't last long as the lead only last seven minutes before the Dons equalised with their first real attack of the second period. Darren Mackie picked up a loose ball just outside the box and swung a cross to the far post where it was met superbly on the volley by sub Sone Aluko to sweep the ball past Smith.

Aberdeen almost took a sensational lead four minutes later, Duff picked up a ball wide on the right before driving to the bye line. His cross to the far post was met by Nicholson and as it looked as though it was heading in Graeme Smith appeared from no where to claw the ball out.

Well took the lead again just inside ten minutes to full time. McLean played a ball out defence to Clarkson who timed a through ball to Hughes perfectly. Hughes kept his cool to square the ball and pick out Chris Porter who fired home his seventeenth of the season.

Porter wins it for 'Well

In stoppage time Motherwell survived another scare, Aberdeen won a free kick just outside the Well box. Sub Chris McGuire chipped the ball over the defensive wall and the ball rebounded off the post. The ball then struck Stephen Craigan before falling kindly into the arms of Graeme Smith.

The referee's whistle to end the game sparked even more celebrations round the ground despite the fact that Hibs can still catch Motherwell.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Brian McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Hughes, McGarry (McCormack 66), Malcolm, Fitzpatrick (Darren Smith 46), Porter, Clarkson, McCormack (Lappin 85).

Subs Not Used: Daniels, Lasley, Murphy, Meechan.

Booked: Darren Smith, Lappin.

Goals: Darren Smith 61, Porter 81

Aberdeen: Langfield, Maybury, Touzani, Considine (Bus 17), Foster, Duff, Nicholson, Walker (Aluko 64), Severin, Mackie (Maguire 81), Miller

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Lovell, De Visscher, Ross.

Booked: Touzani.

Goals: Aluko 67

Att: 8,574

Ref: C Thomson