Second-half goals from Lionel Ainsworth and Elliot Frear secured Motherwell's top-flight status for a 33rd consecutive season after a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

Ainsworth netted with a brilliant free-kick from a tight angle before Frear scored on the breakaway to move Motherwell six points ahead of second-bottom Hamilton, who lost 3-2 against Ross County.

Carl McHugh had given Motherwell a lead inside a minute but Kilmarnock, playing with the freedom of a team who had already secured their Premiership safety, came back well and levelled through Adam Frizzell.

Ainsworth found the net from a free-kick to put Motherwell back into the lead after the break.

But there was breathing space for the hosts in the 78th minute when Ainsworth won the ball and fed Moult, whose ball inside found Frear in yards of space.

The winger rounded MacDonald and netted his first goal for the club.