Stephen Robinson admitted Motherwell “are in trouble” if they do not soon find a route to goal.

The hosts outplayed Hamilton for an hour, with midfielder David Turnbull forcing saves by Ryan Fulton, but were downed by a late Hakeem Odoffin goal.

The 1-0 loss leaves Motherwell third bottom of the Premiership, with two points and two goals from five games.

“Somebody at some stage has to step up and score goals,” said an exasperated Robinson.

“How many balls does David Turnbull have to put in the box for someone to get on the end of it?

“I keep claiming bad luck, I think that runs out after a while. I’m boring myself with that.”

The victory over their Lanarkshire rivals was Hamilton’s first of the season and lifted them from bottom to ninth place.

The absence of fans reduced the intensity of this derby, the quiet around Fir Park all the more poignant when the stadium fell completely silent to remember former Fir Park favourite Tom Forsyth.

However, Turnbull, Allan Campbell and Mark O’Hara were soon throwing themselves into tackles and dominating the midfield, where Hamilton’s Scott Martin was left exposed.

Fulton threw himself to his right to save a Turnbull drive and did even better to parry the Motherwell man’s header from 12 yards after Ricki Lamie had curled in the cross.

Sherwin Seedorf made a burst from the right and forced a save from Fulton with a low shot, while Marios Ogkmpoe and David Templeton rarely looked like a threatening combination up front.

Referee Alan Muir somehow missed a Declan Gallagher foul on David Moyo just outside the box, and that was just about Moyo’s last contribution before Hamilton head coach Brian Rice made a raft of changes midway through the second half.

Odoffin had the most dreadful miss moments before his diving header won the game, failing to turn in Shaun Want’s flick from three yards. He more than made up for it with six minutes to play when he converted Reegan Mimnaugh’s corner.

Man of the match – David Turnbull

What did we learn?

What a sore one for Robinson and the Motherwell players, but the harsh truth is that the result is typical of their season to date. They have a strong midfield that can get a grip on a match but they are lacking a scoring threat from their strikers.

Hamilton did not look like adding to their sole Premiership goal until Rice gave his team a youthful injection with his changes.

Prior to kick-off, Rice said that the two changes he had made to his starting line-up were a result of Ogkmpoe and Justin Johnson coming on as subs against St Mirren and staking their claim for a start.

Mimnaugh, Callum Smith and Andrew Winter can only have boosted their chances of starting Hamilton’s next match.

What did they say?

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: “We keep saying we are not far away, we keep saying we are 60, 70% possession.

“That’s Rangers and Celtic material, but they have people to put the ball in the back of the net. They earn the right to win games and they don’t concede like that.

“I signed the players and ultimately if I make the subs it’s my fault as well. We are not getting the results we need so we need to start making changes.”

Hamilton manager Brian Rice: “I thought the first half Motherwell were on top but we put on three young kids who changed the game.

“I felt second half there was a goal coming. I could feel the belief coming on. I’m absolutely delighted as we’re an easy target for everyone.

“These are special games to win. I am so delighted for everyone and all the Hamilton fans.”

What’s next?

It could scarcely be harder for Motherwell and Hamilton next weekend. Accies host Rangers on Saturday before Motherwell travel to Celtic Park the following day.