New Motherwell boss Jim Gannon saw Llanelli's Stuart Jones head the only goal of the Europa League first qualifying round at Airdrie. "I'm not going to come in with any excuses," Gannon said. "I look across that pitch and see optimism in certain players and players I know I need to replace.

"Everyone is talking abut the players we need to bring in to supplement those players but there are players out there that need to be replaced."

Gannon praised young players such as Steven Saunders and Paul Slane and appeared to criticise skipper Stephen Craigan for his part in the goal, which came from a 28th-minute corner.

"The bottom line is we have got an experienced centre-half who doesn't compete for the ball and they get a free header," Gannon added.

"Players have responsibilities on the pitch and they have to carry them out to the best of their ability. I'll judge my players on that."

Gannon is hopeful that Motherwell can turn the tie around in Wales next Thursday.

"Sometimes these things happen in one-off games and fortunately this is a two-legged game," the former Stockport boss said. "It's far from dead. Once our disappointment goes, the optimism will come back."