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A second-half blitz earned Motherwell their first win of the season as they routed 10-man Glentoran in Europa League qualifying.

Callum Lang, Stephen O'Donnell, Liam Polworth, Tony Watt and Chris Long all netted after a nervy first half.

The Irish Cup winners had several chances to lead before Seanon Clucas' red card cleaved the game open.

Robbie McDaid netted a late penalty consolation as Motherwell cruised into Monday's second qualifying round draw.

The Fir Park side join Rangers and Aberdeen in that, with Coleraine's shock win over Maribor ensuring they also become the third Scottish team to be seeded.

Biblical weather offered an ominous prelude to this one. It would have paled in comparison to the wrath of the home support that would have flooded in had their side not won.

A troubling start in the Premiership, as well as the sale of David Turnbull earlier in the day to Celtic for £3.25m, did little to offer much cheer among the Lanarkshire support.

For long spells, those fans would have been fidgeting uncomfortably at home. In Glentoran, their side came up against a team undaunted by the occasion or the din of fake fan noise being cranked in.

Rory Donnelly's point-blank header was somehow saved by Trevor Carson after a deflected Paul O'Neil shot looped just by a post.

In the second half, O'Neil should have netted from six yards, but he could only crash over. McDaid would also steer an effort agonisingly close.

A shift to a 3-5-2 from the hosts allowed them to dictate, but it took Clucas' needless dismissal for Glentoran to crumble.

A scything challenge in the first half on Ricki Lamie was followed up with one on 52 minutes to take down O'Donnell. A lonely and long walk back to the away dressing room followed.

O'Neill would miss that golden chance and within moments his team were behind. O'Donnell's ball around the corner was latched onto by Lang to clip into the net.

On 72 minutes, the best of the bunch arrived. O'Donnell will remember his first goal in claret and amber, thundering a right-foot shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards.

By the time Polworth nodded in three minutes later and Watt tapped in a fourth shortly afterwards, the Northern Irish side were done.

There was still time for two more goals though. Long got his first of the season with a header at the back post, while McDaid gave the fans back in Belfast a consolation goal right at the end, converting from the spot following a foul from Harry Robinson.

Man of the match - Stephen O'Donnell

What we learned?

That life after Turnbull might actually be a thing for Motherwell. In recent weeks, they've looked heavily reliant on the 21-year-old. Without him, their midfield purred. Polworth had a debut season to remember last time out, and he showed glimpses here that he can influence games again.

On the down side, the fragility at the back that has darkened the start of their season was still very much on show here. A sharper team would have punished them.

Glentoran can be confident about the season ahead. There is a solid spine to their side, and if it wasn't for Clucas' rash challenges, who knows what could have happened? In McDaid they have a real menace in attack and a cultured playmaker in former Motherwell man Gael Bigirimana.

What did they say?

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "It is a banana skin - everyone's waiting for you to fail. It's a great response to that. Glentoran put up a decent fight, but I think our quality shone through.

"Some of the football and quality of the goals was good - all the strikers scored, which is good for confidence going into Sunday's game."

What next?

Motherwell travel to Celtic Park on Sunday for a potential reunion with the departed Turnbull, while Glentoran will need to wait until October before their domestic season starts.