Motherwell started the season with a hard-fought win over Queen's Park in the Premier Sports Cup.
Steven Lawless' first-half strike ensured they secured all three points in their first game of the 2021/22 season but it wasn't plain sailing for the Steelmen.
The Spiders performed admirably against their top-flight opponents and Simon Murray was thwarted on several occasions by the excellent Liam Kelly.
Motherwell will benefit from the strong test ahead of welcoming fans back to Fir Park on Saturday for the visit of Queen of the South.
Graham Alexander handed starts to two new summer signings, Darragh O’Connor & Kaiyne Woolery, while Kelly started in goals after joining on a permanent transfer.
Queen's Park boss Laurie Ellis made just one change from the weekend win over Queen of the South with Simon Murray replacing Will Baynham.
The Spiders started confidently and they created the first chance of the evening on four minutes.
Ricki Lamie's backpass to Kelly was under-hit and Simon Murray intercepted but the 'Well goalkeeper narrowed the angle on the Queen's Park striker.
Stephen O'Donnell captained Motherwell after his international exploits with Scotland at the EUROs this summer.
The 29-year-old demonstrated his strong understanding with former Partick Thistle teammate Steven Lawless down the right-hand side at Firhill - where Queen's Park are playing until Lesser Hampden is completed.
Motherwell dominated possession during the early stages and they deservedly opened the scoring on 14 minutes through Lawless.
Barry Maguire drove superbly forward and unleashed a shot that was saved by Muir but Tony Watt recycled the ball for Lawless to find the bottom corner past a despairing defender.
Former Hibernian striker Murray looked Queen's Park's biggest threat and he almost capitalised on another misunderstanding between Lamie and Kelly on 27 minutes.
Motherwell weren't having it all their own way against the League Two champions and an unsighted Kelly chested away a powerful Tommy Robson effort on 32 minutes.
The hosts continued to press forward and Murray's deflected effort struck the post before the 29-year-old was denied by Kelly.
Former Leicester City defender O'Connor - who signed for Motherwell yesterday - had to be alert to prevent Queen's Park equalising just before half-time as they continued to apply pressure.
The relentless Murray's cross from the right was blocked behind by the 21-year-old as the ball narrowly avoided the bottom corner to the relief of the debutant.
Former 'Well academy star Liam Brown was outstanding for Queen's Park and he created a brilliant chance on 55 minutes.
The 22-year-old nutmegged Lamie before slipping in Murray but his curled effort was saved by the impressive Kelly.
Motherwell improved as the second-half progressed as they began to dictate the tempo of proceedings.
Maguire tested Willie Muir from range before Watt fired straight at the Queen's Park goalkeeper on 77 minutes.
'Well boss Alexander introduced Liam Donnelly on 78 minutes as he returned for the first time since the opening game of last season in a major boost to the Fir Park side.
Maguire was deployed in a more attacking role than he is accustomed to but he impressed and he went close again on 81 minutes with a drilled shot.
The Spiders seemed to tire in the closing stages as Motherwell used their experience to retain possession and kill the game to secure three points.
Queen's Park: Muir, Doyle, Morrison, Davidson, Robson, Lyon, Gillespie, Moore, Brown, Biggar, Murray.
Subs: Ferrie, Gillies, Yeats, Bannon, Nicol, Mahon, Mauchin
Motherwell: Kelly, S. O'Donnell, Carroll, Lamie, O'Connor, Maguire, Crawford, Cornelius (Donnelly, 79') Lawless, Woolery, Watt(Van Veen, 86')
Subs: Fox, Van Veen, Amaluzor, Johnston, C. O'Donnell, McLeod, Wilson
Goal: Lawless 14'
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