Porter hat-trick eases pressure on McGhee

Dec 29 2008 By Chris Clements

AN outstanding performance from Chris Porter saw Motherwell sink a troubled Inverness side 3-2 at Fir Park.

Chris Porter's first goal came early on from a superb diving header from a Steven Hammell cross, and he put the home side further ahead with another header in the first half. Motherwell piled on the pressure with Stephen Hughes and Porter menacing the penalty area.

Inverness, however, pulled one back against the run of play when Ross Tokely capitalised on a mistake by keeper Graeme Smith.

Porter's third header found the net in the second half and put the game beyond struggling Inverness.

The final scoreline did not reflect the game as Motherwell dominated but two defensive errors towards the end of either half saw them lose ground, with a returning Stephen Craigan giving away a penalty in the dying moments. Caley striker Adam Rooney saw his penalty saved but converted from a header for Inverness's second.

The result sees the 'Well climb to ninth position in the SPL, putting some distance between themselves and the relegation pack.