A late goal by substitute Derek Young gave Aberdeen victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.

With only two minutes remaining Young scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

It was a huge blow to Motherwell who had matched the visitors throughout.

All too often passes were misplaced and the game was never allowed to flow due to the niggling fouls which dominated proceedings.

However in the end Young's late goal was enough to separate the teams and send the small band of Aberdeen fans home happy.

Motherwell's recent form had seen them slip into the top half but it was the visitors who had the first effort on goal after only three minutes.

Striker Arild Stavrum made some space for himself at the edge of the Motherwell box but his volley was punched away to safety by 'Well keeper Andy Goram.

Minutes later, it was the home defence looking nervous, Dons striker Darren Mackie had a shot from 14 yards but his effort was poor and went wide of Goram's left-hand post.

At the other end a Derek Adams header from a Martin Corrigan cross was easily saved by Dons keeper David Preece.

In the 16th minute Aberdeen again broke with purpose, Rachid Belabed's pass finding Stavrum running clear of the 'Well defence.

But the Dons striker's first touch took the ball wide and his shot went straight across the Motherwell six-yard box and a good opportunity was lost.

As the rain came lashing down the game became punctuated by free-kicks mainly awarded for niggling fouls and consequently there was little flow to the play.

The home side made a bright start to the second half and came close minutes after the re-start.

Striker John Spencer found himself with the ball at his feet 10 yards from goal but, although his shot beat Preece, Belabed was on the line to block, saving a certain goal.

The visitors fought back and full-back Kevin McNaughton had two efforts on goal; the first blocked by 'Well defender Greg Strong and the second from the edge of the box going narrowly past Goram's left-hand post.

The home side were doing most of the attacking and on the hour-mark midfielder Scott Leitch drove a powerful 30-yard volley which Preece did well to turn away.

Motherwell continued to press but the visitors defended bravely and indeed nearly took the lead after 75 minutes.

A David Rowson shot from 30 yards took a slight deflection off Strong and keeper Goram had to throw himself to the right to save at the expense of a corner.

Just as the game seemed destined to end goalless, the visitors got the winner.

With only two minutes remaining sub Young, on for Darren Mackie, was on hand to net from close range after the ball had pinged across the Motherwell goalmouth on several occasions begging to be put away.