Stuart McCall's half-time team talk inspired his Motherwell players to earn three points against Dunfermline at East End Park.
Michael Higdon and Henrik Ojamaa netted after the break to ensure a 2-0 success for McCall's men in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Victory for Motherwell moved them within three points of Rangers in second place while Dunfermline are now four points adrift at the foot of table.
"I am delighted with the three points, after a poor first half display," said McCall. "I thought first and foremost that Dunfermline worked a lot harder than we did in the first half and I told the front four we needed more from them in the second half."
He added: "The first goal is always crucial and we managed to get it, we looked dangerous in the second half and the players who didn't show in the first half like Henrik and Higgy performed much better in the second half.
"Chris Humphrey also gave us a spark, I took Omar Daley off as he just had one of these days that wingers sometimes have."
Despite closing the gap on Rangers in second place to three points, McCall was quick to dismiss any talk of Motherwell claiming a place in next season's Champions League.
He said: "Today's win takes us 11 points ahead of St Johnstone and as I have said before our focus is on making sure of third spot.
"We won't be talking about Champions League until the end of the season, if at all."
Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre has backed goalkeeper Smith to recover after his error for Motherwell's opener. The Pars keeper was dropped after errors in matches against St Johnstone and Inverness, but has been restored to the starting line-up after an injury to Iain Turner.
"The big man knows he has to save it, it's a bread and butter save," said McIntyre. "What I would say is Chris has bounced back before, it's a horrible position and to be honest I don't know why anyone would want to be a goalkeeper growing up."
