Hibs began the game well and enjoyed the majority of the early possession without creating any clear chances until the tenth minute when a Garry O'Connor header was cleared for a corner.
Motherwell were struggling at this stage and their chances took a knock when captain Scott Leitch was substituted after only seven minutes with a leg knock.
As the game developed it became very scrappy with chances at a premium as both midfields battled feverishly for control of the game.
With their first real chance of the game Motherwell took the lead in the 31st minute when David Clarkson dived full length to head Stephen Pearson’s cross home.
The goal seemed to inspire Motherwell and they controlled the game from then on.
They extended their lead in the 41st minute when Shaun Fagen volleyed home from 22 yards when he connected with Mixu Paatelainen’s poor headed clearance.
Hibs started the second half well and they had a great chance in the 54th minute when Grant Brebner was sent clear by Paatelainen's header but he blasted over the bar from eight yards.
Hibs continued to try and pull a goal back but were being thwarted by a Motherwell team desperate to hold onto their lead.
However in the 70th minute John O'Neil's cutback was met by O'Connor and he shot high into the net from eight yards.
The same player should have equalised nine minutes later but he blasted his six-yard shot over the bar.
Hibs were left to rue this miss as Motherwell ran down the clock and may well have extended their lead only for Kemas Khaled to fire over the bar in stoppage time.
As the game was drawing to a close Hibs keeper Nick Colgan was fortunate not to be red carded when he stupidly got involved with Clarkson following a Derek Townsley foul on the Motherwell forward.
Motherwell will be happy to take all three points as they continue their struggle to avoid relegation.