Ross County edged a five-goal thriller to narrow the margin to just three points on Motherwell and St Mirren, with just their second home win of the season.
County took a first-half lead through Martin Woods’ excellent half-volley, however Motherwell levelled nine minutes after the break through Conor Grant’s free-kick.
The Staggies responded well however, establishing a two-goal cushion thanks to goals from Paul Quinn and Raffaele De Vita, with Fraser Kerr’s header a mere consolation.
Both sides made wholesale changes from their last games ahead of this vital encounter. County goalkeeper Antonio Reguero was dropped following two errors in the 4-0 defeat against Aberdeen last week, making way for Mark Brown. There was a debut for De Vita, while Michael Gardyne and Craig Curran also returned, in place of Tony Dingwall, Filip Kiss and Ruben Palazuelos.
Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough made sixchanges from the side that drew 1-1 against St Johnstone a fortnight ago, including three debutants. George Long, Nahan Thomas and Conor Grant came in, along with Fraser Kerr and vastly experienced duo Stephen McManus and Keith Lasley, in place of Dan Twardzik, Louis Laing, Stuart Carswell, Josh Law, Mark O’Brien and Luke Watt.
Motherwell created their best first-half chance on 27 minutes, when Nathan Thomas’ low, bobbling strike from the edge of the box was crucially smothered by former Well keeper Brown under pressure from John Sutton.
However, County took the lead on 34 minutes when Woods exchanged a neat one-two with De Vita on the edge of the box, before angling a fine half-volley into keeper Long’s left-hand corner.
County looked to add to their lead before half-time, and Liam Boyce came close with a close-range effort from Woods’ free-kick.
However Well created two fine chances before the interval, with Kerr twice heading straight at Brown from consecutive corners.
Despite starting the second-half the poorer of the two sides, Motherwell grabbed an equaliser on 54 minutes when on-loan Everton midfielder Conor Grant curled a left-footed free-kick beyond Brown from 22 yards.
However parity remained for just four minutes, as De Vita’s free-kick was met by a bullet header from Paul Quinn who buried his effort beyond Long to put his former club behind once again.
De Vita had been thoroughly impressive all afternoon and he netted a sublime goal to match just five minutes later. Gardyne swung the ball in from the right, with the Italian smashing past Long on the first-time volley, on the left angle of the box.
Kerr pulled one back with a header from Grant’s corner 11 minutes from time to ensure a nervy finish to the game.