the present invention relates to a motor control circuit for a stepper motor which causes a motor shaft to oscillate between an incremental rotational position nearest above and nearest below a commanded average rotational position identified by an electrical command signal . a clock is provided for sending periodic clock signal pulses to the control circuit . an up / down counter is connected to the clock for counting clock pulses on each clock cycle and for providing an output signal in the form of a binary representation of total clock pulses . a comparing circuit electrically connected to the up / down counter is used to control an up / down direction of the up / down counter before each clock signal pulse so that the up / down counter causes the motor shaft to rotate to a position nearest beyond the commanded shaft position and to thereafter oscillate between an incremental count nearest above and an incremental count nearest below the commanded average rotational position . the invention provides the benefit of greater average shaft position resolution and , additionally , because oscillation is provided , the present invention is particularly useful in the electrical positioning of valve spools or variable displacement pumps in a manner which reduces the possibility of spool sticking .