Kilmarnock 1-2 Motherwell: Zak Jules rises to halt 'Well's alarming slump

Motherwell arrested a run of four straight Scottish Premiership defeats as they came from behind to earn a morale-boosting 2-1 win at Kilmarnock, with Zak Jules the match winner.

Kris Boyd had given the hosts a first-half lead but Well hit back after the break through Carl McHugh and Jules, before Elliot Frear's rash injury-time challenge gave Boyd a chance to level from the penalty spot, but the veteran could only hit the post from 12 yards.

The visitors, having shipped 17 goals in their last four outings, began the game with five at the back but were given a fright when Boyd crashed a left-foot effort off the bar from close range.

They failed to heed the warning as Boyd was picked out by Gary Dicker's astute through ball and squeezed his shot past Craig Samson (32) for his 200th Scottish top-flight goal, 16 years after his first - also against Motherwell.

Scott McDonald was denied by Freddie Woodman before the break but McHugh (51) was to make no mistake when Elliott Frear's corner kick broke kindly in the box.

Gary Dicker became the second Killie man to strike the goal frame with a venomous hit but the momentum had turned and 'Well earned their reward for a much-improved second-half showing when Jules' close-range header (76) won the day.

The mood on the coach back to Lanarkshire could have been so different however after Frear brought down Callum Roberts in the area in added time but Boyd's nerve failed him, his spot kick hitting the post.

The win lifts Well to 10th place in the standings, three points above Hamilton and five clear of Inverness Caley Thistle.