Ross County squandered an early lead to go down 4-1 to Motherwell at Fir Park.
County had made the dream start when Liam Fontaine lashed home his first goal of the season on three minutes, however Motherwell turned the game on its head through quickfire goals from Mark O’Hara and Allan Campbell midway through the first half.
Campbell added his second goal on 76 minutes before substitute Tony Watt struck a late fourth, with the result leaving County five points above the relegation play-off spot following Hamilton Accies’ shock win over Rangers at Ibrox.
The Staggies made just one change from the side which defeated Aberdeen 2-1 at Pittodrie last time out, with Blair Spittal drafted in to replace Harry Paton.
The Steelmen were without a victory from their last eight matches in all competitions, with County taking the lead after just three minutes. Iain Vigurs’ corner picked out Fontaine, and he coolly swept the ball past Mark Gillespie on the first-time volley.
The Staggies could have had a second goal on 13 minutes when Lee Erwin set up Billy Mckay for an effort from the edge of the box, with his shot palmed behind by Gillespie.
Motherwell pulled level on 17 minutes however, with Liam Polworth’s corner finding its way to O’Hara, who was allowed the space to rifle a low strike past Ross Laidlaw on the turn.
Laidlaw came to the Staggies’ rescue moments later, with the goalkeeper standing tall to block Jermaine Hylton’s effort.
The home side turned the game in their favour on 25 minutes however, with Hylton unfortunate to see his strike come back off the crossbar, however the ball landed for Campbell to squeeze home from a tight angle.
Motherwell looked to extend their advantage at the start of the second half, with forward Chris Long twice denied by Laidlaw. His first effort was turned behind by Laidlaw at his near post after the attacker had cut in from the left, before the goalkeeper made an even better save to tip Long’s close-range strike on to the post.
County brought on forward Ross Stewart for his first outing in more than two months following a hamstring injury, along with fellow attacker Oli Shaw, in an attempt to find a way back into the game.
Motherwell sealed the points 14 minutes from time however, with Long pulling the ball across goal for Campbell to tuck home his second.
Watt drilled home with the final kick of the ball to cap a comfortable triumph for the Steelmen.