Well were outplayed in the first half and Craig Dargo struck twice, the first a deflected effort in the 14th minute before slotting home moments before the half-time whistle.

Socceroo Scott McDonald led the charge as the visitors pushed Inverness back after the break but never once looked like scoring and their lacklustre comeback fizzled out with 20 minutes left.

Malpas said: "I have to apologise to the fans, it's a long distance to come for a performance like that.

"The players have to look at themselves in the mirror, they let themselves down, let the club down and the supporters too.

"I can handle getting beat if the attitude is right but not like that. We were insipid, we had no urgency at all and for once I'm embarrassed to be a manager.

"I have an honest bunch of players but they did not turn up today - it was imposters who turned up.

"It's the worst performance since I came to the club. I was disgusted by it. If the youth team put in a performance like that I would get rid of them.

"Unless Paul Hegarty can persuade me otherwise those players will be playing for the reserves next midweek."

Inverness boss Charlie Christie was pleased his side had got the goals their first-half display merited after being held to a 1-1 home draw by Falkirk in their previous game.

Christie said: "The first half we were similarly on top against Falkirk but the difference today was we got the two goals our play justified.

"The second goal was very, very significant. It gave us something to see through.

"We have had three occasions to see games through this season and let it slip. That's an aspect we maybe have to learn and I can't remember Motherwell having any serious shots on goal."

Christie now hopes to emulate last season's record of winning their last five matches to finish seventh in the SPL.

"It's a big ask," he said. "I don't think we got the plaudits for it last year, people talk about end-of-season games but there are serious financial implications for where we finish in the league.

"The main thing was to keep in touch with Dundee United and Falkirk ahead of us and we have done that.

"Another pleasing thing is we have had a less than impressive record against Motherwell in Inverness and we have overturned that, hopefully it won't get spoken about next season."

Christie revealed goal hero Dargo - who is out of contract in the summer and is interesting Motherwell - had come off with a slight hamstring strain in the 70th minute.