Kevin Van Veen was the hero as Motherwell grabbed their third Premiership win on the bounce with a terrific performance against Aberdeen at Fir Park.
The Dutch striker scored one and set up another for Juhani Ojala, in a game that was dominated by Dons on possession, but not on chances.
Aberdeen simply didn't make enough of what little they created, while Motherwell were clinical with their chances.
On another day the Dutch striker might also have helped himself to a superb second goal, with Lewis brilliantly clawing his effort away from the top right corner.
Motherwell took a lead into the interval with a superb goal in 26 minutes when Kaiyne Woolery's cross from the right was met with a bullet header at the back post by Kevin Van Veen that left Joe Lewis with no chance in the Aberdeen goal.
The Dons can't complain too much; Well showed their menace just 60 second earlier when Kevin O'Hara's cross from the right corner was headed just wide by Tony Watt.
Aberdeen came out swinging in the second half, but Motherwell simply soaked it up and hit on the counter-attack, with Van Veen turning provider and crossing for Juhani Ojala to head in his first Motherwell goal just before the hour.
Graham Alexander made three changes to the Motherwell side that beat Dundee last time out. Sondre Solholm Johansen was handed his debut, while Nathan McGinley and Van Veen started, with Jake Carroll (suspended), Ricki Lamie and Justin Amaluzor bowing out.
Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass made two changes to the team that drew with Ross County a fortnight ago, with Jack MacKenzie and Marley Watkins replacing Dean Campbell and Austin Samuels.
Motherwell created the first decent chance in five minutes when Woolery was sent down the right and he swung an inviting cross over the box, but there were no takers.
Aberdeen created a decent chance in 13 minutes when MacKenzie's free kick from the left was headed past the far post by Declan Gallagher, returning to his old stomping ground for the first time since his summer move to Pittodrie.
Funso Ojo then let fly with a shot from about 19 yards on the left in 18 minutes, but it was well over.
MacKenzie curled an inviting ball in from the left in 22 minutes, which was just ahead of Ojo. When the ball came back in from the right, Watkins was denied by a smart save from Liam Kelly at close range.
Motherwell's best chance of the game came in 25 minutes when from a short corner on the right, O'Hara swung in a cross that was headed just wide of the back post by Watt.
But Motherwell took the lead in 26 minutes when Woolery's cross from the right was met with a bullet header by Van Veen for his second goal of the season.
Aberdeen' Lewis Ferguson let fly with a shot from just inside the box that Kelly did well to push over in 30 minutes.
Calvin Ramsay was next to have a go for Aberdeen in 37 minutes, but his rising drive was comfortably caught by Kelly.
Aberdeen went close again when Ramsay's fierce shot was blocked by Kelly and Ferguson blasted the rebound over, but his blushes were spared by an offside flag.
The visitors' first chance of the second half came nine minutes in when Watkins was sent through on the left, but Kelly came rushing off his line to block the shot well with his chest.
Ferguson released Watkins with a fine through ball in 55 minutes, but Kelly again slapped his net-bound shot to safety.
But Motherwell put the points beyond doubt in 59 minutes when Van Veen crossed for Ojala to power in a header off the underside of the bar.
Van Veen nearly caught Lewis out with a cheeky lob moments later, and Liam Grimshaw was crowded out as he tried to latch onto the rebound.
That was pretty much it, but Motherwell knew they had done enough to take the points against a Dons side that by that point looked deflated.
There was some drama after the final whistle, with Aberdeen assistant manager Allan Russell sent off for remonstrating with the match officials.
MOTHERWELL: Kelly, Grimshaw, Mugabi, Ojala, Johansen, McGinley, Slattery, O'Hara, Woolery (Lamie, 72), Van Veen (Goss, 79), Watt (Maguire, 90+2).
Subs (not used): Fox (GK), Amaluzor, Donnelly, Shields.
Bookings: Van Veen (27), Woolery (36), O'Hara (43), Grimshaw (72), Watt (84)
ABERDEEN: Lewis, Ramsay (Bates, 63), Gallagher, MacKenzie, Ferguson, Brown, Longstaff (McLennan, 68), Ojo (Emmanuel-Thomas, 68), Watkins, Ramirez.
Subs (not used): Woods (GK), Jayes, Jenks, Campbell.
Bookings: MacKenzie (23), Ferguson (58), McCrorie (90+1), Brown (90+3)
Referee: John Beaton.
Attendance: 5623.
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