Much-changed Motherwell moved to within six points of the Scottish Premiership summit after extending their unbeaten streak to eight games with a routine three-goal win over bottom-club Livingston.

The seven switches made to the hosts’ starting line-up at Fir Park had no negative impact on their momentum or attractive playing style, with the first two goals coming from two players brought back into the team.

Elliot Watt, the Lanarkshire side’s standout player of the season, beat visiting goalkeeper Jerome Prior with a curling effort from the edge of the area on the 18th minute to put Motherwell one up.

It was two on the hour as a trip from Lewis Smith on Johnny Koutroumbis allowed Apostolos Stamatelopoulos to convert from the spot for Jens Berthel Askou’s men, who have kept four straight clean sheets.

And another impressive victory was sealed when Regan Charles-Cook rolled one to the back post for substitute left-back Emmanuel Longelo to tap in his fifth goal of the campaign.

Livingston managed just one shot on target and they remain without a league victory since early August – a run of 13 matches.

The West Lothian side have also failed to win in their last 17 Premiership visits to Fir Park.

Despite working Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward just once, a fierce strike from Mahamadou Susoho, a late push meant Livingston ended the match with 12 attempts.

But the damage was already inflicted on a side seriously lacking in confidence by a team who cannot get enough of it.

After seven changes to the line-up, and with key players such as Longelo, Stephen Welsh and Callum Slattery on the bench, there was no difference to Motherwell’s approach and performance level.

That pays testament to what Askou is creating at Fir Park. His side being six points off top in December, having suffered just two league defeats all season, does not look normal, nor does the football this Motherwell team are playing.

The support are watching their team play in a way they have never seen before, and with each passing week their ceiling rises.

Livingston manager David Martindale: “I don’t think there was much in the game in the first half. It’s a good [first] goal but we shouldn’t turn our back on it.

“Second half I didn’t think there was a lot in it either, then we give away a penalty. I’ve not had a chance to look at it back, I’m not interested in that to be honest. Then the game becomes difficult.

“I’ll sit and tell you now, Motherwell will be top four. That’s not an excuse for us, but they’re a very, very good team, really well drilled. I’ll be surprised if they don’t make top four.”

Match report: Nick McPheat

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