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    Motherwell 0 – 2 Aberdeen

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    Celtic & Inverness games picked for TV

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    TV: Lasley desperate for Dons reaction

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    TV: McCall looks ahead to Dons clash

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    Beaton to officiate Quarter Final clash

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    Sponsor the Quarter Final clash

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    TV: Highlights from McDiarmid Park

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    St Johnstone defeat in pictures

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    McCall expects better after Saints loss

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    St Johnstone 2 – 0 Motherwell

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    Motherwell 0 – 2 Aberdeen

    [tab:Match report]

     Phil McGhee at Fir Park

    Motherwell crashed out the League Cup after losing 0-2 to Aberdeen in a frustrating night at Fir Park.

    Aberdeen were reduced to ten men after just twelve minutes but they held off Motherwell’s domination,to grab two goals in the last seven minutes and take their place in the semi-final draw tomorrow.

    The Fir Park side used the extra man advantage fairly well in terms of possession but although they bombarded the Dons’ goal with a series of crosses, Jamie Langfield was well very well protected by a stubborn Dons defence.

    Motherwell will feel hard done to though after the match officials ruled out a perfectly good John Sutton goal after just three minutes. Television replays would show it was an extremely poor decision by John Beaton; the Motherwell striker at least a yard onside.

    As the game progressed into the latter stages there was a sense, certainly amongst the huge and noisy travelling support, that having absorbed all the pressure that ‘Well would be dealt the sucker punch.

    And yet it started so promisingly for the home side. With two changes to the side which lost at Perth, Zaine Francis-Angol taking the wide left berth in place of Iain Vigurs and Henri Anier coming in to partner John Sutton in attack, the home side pressed from the start.

    And the Estonian striker almost made an immediate impact sending a shot skidding narrowly past the post within the first two minutes.

    A minute later ‘Well looked to have opened the scoring after Ryan Jack rattled a clearance off Stuart Carswell. As the ball rebounded back into the box Sutton lifted it over Langfield and under the ‘keeper’s bar. But as the ‘Well players ran away to celebrate referee John Beaton noticed his assistant’s belated raised flag indicating that Sutton was offside.

    The referee was again the centre of attention after 12 minutes. Joe Shaughnessy’s challenge on Francis-Angol was high and, after consulting his other assistant, the Dons’ full back was shown a straight red card.

    As Motherwell continued to probe for the opening goal Aberdeen reinforced their defence bringing on Andy Considine for striker Calvin Zola.

    That gave the home almost total control from the middle of the park but apart from a couple of Lawson shots which were drilled wide of goal, Langfield was untested.

    Having been under the cosh for 40 minutes Dons made their first threat on the home goal when Jonny Hayes’ cross into the 6 yard box forced Gunnar Nielsen into his first save palming the ball out for Shaun Hutchison to boot clear. Then on the stroke of half time, a terrific block from Stephen McManus deflected Niall McGinn’s drive wide of the post.

    The second half resumed with ‘Well again pressing towards Langfield’s goal and the Dons were lucky to survive strong appeals for a penalty after Mark Reynolds tripped Anier at the corner of the box.

    With Lionel Ainsworth on for Lawson the Dons goalmouth was peppered with crosses from both wings but Langfield remained untested until the hour mark.

    Francis-Angol elected for a low cut back in front of the in-rushing Stuart Carswell and his low drive was brilliantly blocked by the ‘keeper.

    The Dons though looked content to soak up the pressure and hope for a goal on the break and after 68 minutes Stuart McCall changed his attacking options bringing on Bob McHugh for Anier.

    Three minutes later ‘Well came within inches of the opener when Ainsworth’s outswinging corner perfectly met the incoming Hutchison only to see his powerful header thump back off the crossbar.

    However, despite watching their side have all the possession, ‘Well fans were rather subdued as the game moved into the final stages while the Dons fans optimistically roared on their players.

    And 7 minutes from time the large travelling support was rewarded when Aberdeen grabbed the all important first goal.

    McGinn’s low drive forced Neilsen into his first save of the half diving to block low at his post with Vernon’s follow up turned behind for a corner. As the Dons’ rearguard moved up for Hayes’ corner you sensed danger and as the ball curled into a packed 6 yard box Considine leapt highest to nod the ball home.

    In injury time, with all bar one ‘Well player in the visitors box for yet another corner, Dons raced to the other end of the park where Hayes rifled a shot high past Nielsen to make sure of their semi-final place.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at Fir Park

    FT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Aberdeen

    92mins: Aberdeen break and make it 2-0

    90mins: Corner Motherwell…. Only 2 minutes added on

    85mins: Aberdeen change, Robson on for Pawlett

    83mins: GOAL! A sickener as Aberdeen go 1 up. Considine the scorer

    82mins:: Excellent stop by Nielsen who denies Jack at his front post

    80mins: Anderson booked for clattering into Lasley

    78mins: Corner to Aberdeen….. McManus clears the danger.

    71mins: Hutchy heads off the bar from Ainsworth’s corner!!

    67mins: Motherwell sub, Anier off for McHugh

    60mins; Great chance! Francis-Angol cuts it back to Carswell who on his left foot can only fire straight at Langfield from 16 yards

    58mins: Good spell of pressure. Aberdeen defending well though and clearing each cross as it comes in.

    54mins: Corner to ‘Well…..Ainsworth’s delivery headed out for a Motherwell throw

    48mins: Carswell booked. Looked frustrated at the penalty shout and hacked down McGinn

    47mins: Strong cause for a penalty there as Anier is barged to the ground in the box. Not given!

    46mins: And there’s been a change, Ainsworth on for Lawson

    46mins: Second half underway!

    HT: A largely frustrating first half. ‘Well with the bulk of the ball but no cutting edge against a well organised 10 men

    HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Aberdeen

    45mins: Sub just before the whistle for Aberdeen. Vernon on for the injured Robertson.

    45mins: Almost a disaster there but McManus gets across to slide clear from McGinn after he dispossessed Hutchinson

    45mins: Aberdeen sitting in deep. Difficult to find a way through so Hutchinson drives forward and tries his luck. Well over.

    40mins: Third corner of the game for Motherwell….Aberdeen break and Hammell has to scoop McGinn’s cross to safety

    36mins: Half chance there for Sutton. Just couldn’t get enough on his header from Ramsden’s ball in and it floats over the bar

    32mins: Another corner to ‘Well…..punched away by Langfield

    30mins: It’s a set-piece, which saw the ball laid off to Lawson who scuffs his shot harmlessly wide

    30mins: First corner of the game goes Motherwelll’s way….

    26mins: Hutchinson booked for a crunching tackle, much to Aberdeen’s disgust

    20mins: Early change for The Dons, Considine on for Zola

    13mins: RED CARD: Shaughnessy walks for a terrible tackle on Francis- Angol!!!!

    10mins: Decent start for ‘Well. Had the bulk of the ball, and playing some OK stuff.

    4mins: Controversy! Sutton has the ball in the net but while celebrating, ref chalks it off for offside

    2mins: Anier hits a shot on the turn from 20 yards which flashes just wide

    1min: Quarter final is now underway. #COYW

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “I can’t remember being this low and then to go into the dressing room and see the laptop and John Sutton’s goal, which was onside, has just absolutely topped the night off.

    “Full credit to Aberdeen, the way they defended with 10 men, they were outstanding.

    “I was going to say the difference was we hit the bar from a set play and they scored from a set play but it’s even more galling. Sutton is a foot onside.

    “The linesman didn’t put his flag up (initially), the delay was the fourth official telling him it hit (Keith) Lasley but it doesn’t matter who it hits because it’s onside.”

    “But St Johnstone deserved their victory.”

    Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

    “They have really answered up when the odds were stacked against them. We said to the players at half-time that they needed organisation, guts, character, everything you need to win the game, but the biggest thing was having a belief.

    “To go so long with 10 men was always going to be a concern and with Clark going off as well, we only had one defender on the bench.

    “It was gutsy, real guts and determination and a bunch of boys determined not to accept anything other than us getting into a semi-final.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”165″]

  • Archive

    Celtic & Inverness games picked for TV

    Motherwell’s home match with Celtic has been moved to Friday 6th December (7.45pm KO) for live coverage on BT Sport.

    The match was originally scheduled for Saturday 7th December but has been moved back a day.

    Another match switched is our January 4th fixture against Inverness Caley Thistle at Fir Park. The game will take place on the same day, but it will now kick-off at 12.45pm live on Sky Sports.

    >> CLICK HERE FOR A FULL UPDATED FIXTURE LIST

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    TV: Lasley desperate for Dons reaction

    Steelmen skipper Keith Lasley says the ‘Well squad are desperate to bounce back from their McDiarmid Park disappointment on Sunday.

    The Fir Parkers crashed to a 2-0 defeat in Perth, arguably their worst showing of the season so far.

    The veteran midfielder admitted the players were quick to acknowledge they had fallen below their usual stands and are keen to put it right in Wednesday’s League Cup Quarter Final against Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen.

    Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “The match gives us a good opportunity to put right some of the wrongs from Sunday.

    “It was not an acceptable performance from our point of view and we’ve got to hold our hands up and admit it just wasn’t good enough.

    [pullquote]One bad performance certainly doesn’t make us a bad team overnight and it’s now a case of refocusing on what we’ve been doing well[/pullquote]

    “There was a realisation in the dressing room that it will take a much better performance on Wednesday to try and bounce back from that defeat. We’ve had a good run of performances and results and we feel it was a bit out of character.

    “We certainly have no divine right to turn up at games and get the three points. We knew it would be a tough game and we never got to the levels that has seen us lose just once in the last eight games.

    “One bad performance certainly doesn’t make us a bad team overnight and it’s now a case of refocusing on what we’ve been doing well.

    “We have three big home games in a row now so hopefully we can get back to winning ways in what is a massive game against Aberdeen tomorrow.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

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    TV: McCall looks ahead to Dons clash

    Stuart McCall has labeled tomorrow’s match a mini ‘Cup Final’ as ‘Well prepare to take on Aberdeen in the League Cup.

    The Dons are many people’s favourites to progress after their win at Easter Road at the weekend – a victory that propelled them into second place in the table.

    The Steelmen lost 2-0 at McDiarmid Park on Sunday but the Fir Park boss is pleased to have such a big game to try and bounce back.

    Speaking to MFC TV, McCall said: “It’s a fixture that everyone has been looking forward to for some time now.

    [pullquote]This is essentially a ‘Cup Final’ for us; it is winner takes all. Like Aberdeen, we are desperate to get through given how open the tournament is now.[/pullquote]

    “Aberdeen are playing well at the moment and are proving right most people’s pre-season predictions on how they would fare.

    “On the flip side, we can take encouragement from the recent run of home wins – four from four against Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Hearts.

    “They will obviously point to their victory earlier in the season but I think there’s a different set of circumstances and I am not too sure how much that result will play a part.

    “This is essentially a ‘Cup Final’ for us; it is winner takes all. Like Aberdeen, we are desperate to get through given how open the tournament is now.

    “They will no doubt be backed by a large travelling support behind the goal – it’s the job of our lads in the home stands to match that with vocal and colorful backing.

    “Most out with will probably have Aberdeen as favourites not only tomorrow’s match, but also to finish second in the table. We will see. It should make for an interesting battle.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Beaton to officiate Quarter Final clash

    Referee for Wednesday’s League Cup Quarter Final clash with Aberdeen is John Beaton.

    John will be handling his second Motherwell match of the campaign so far.

    Ironically, his other was when Aberdeen last travelled to Fir Park back in August; Derek McInnes side taking all three points in a 3-1 win.

    The game wasn’t without controversy with Beaton, a late replacement for Kevin Clancy, awarding the Dons two spot kicks, although it was certainly a win the visitors deserved for their second half showing.

    The 31-year old also took charge of two Motherwell matches last term too. The first was a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Fir Park; Michael Higdon rescuing a point after Nicky Reilly had given the Dark Blues a surprise lead midway through the first half.

    His other match that campaign was against Dundee United at Tannadice, the Steelmen running rampant in the City of Discovery, confirming second spot with a superb 3-1 win.

    Not only did Michael Higdon open the scoring with a peach from distance, the big striker surpassed Willie Pettigrew’s post-war record for most top-league goals in a single season when he netted the third midway through the second half.

    It has been a busy season already for Beaton both domestically and in European competition.

    This will be his second League Cup tie of the campaign having already handled St Johnstone’s 3-0 win at Hamilton Accies.

    He has officiated three Dons games this campaign and McInnes’ men have won all three (versus Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Partick Thistle).

    Abroad, he was the man in the middle for Poland U19s 1-0 home defeat by Armenia as well as Norway U21s’ 2-1 success over Macedonia.

    In European action, he looked after BATE Borisov against Celtic’s eventual Champions League opponents Shakhter Karagandy, as well as the UEFA Youth Champions League match between Arsenal and Napoli, the Gunners running out 4-1 winners.

    John will be ably assisted by Graham Chambers and Brian Templeton with Euan Anderson on Fourth Official duties.

  • Archive

    Sponsor the Quarter Final clash

    We still have match sponsorship opportunities available for Wednesday’s League Cup Quarter Final clash with Aberdeen.

    It’s set to be one of the biggest Cup matches at Fir Park in some time with the competition wide open.

    Our premier package, with the high profile and level of service you would expect as the primary corporate sponsor on the day.

    You and your guests will be welcomed and shown to your private dining area, the Joe Wark Lounge, for a drinks reception with a fantastic five-course meal to follow.

    At kick-off time, use the private staircase to emerge at your prime centre-stand seats, where you will enjoy the match with the advantage of complimentary team lines and match programmes for all.

    Half-time is time to refuel, with teas, coffees, pies and pastries in the Joe Wark Lounge, whilst acknowledgement of your sponsorship will be announced via the scoreboard, public-address system and a prominent advertisement in the match programme.

    After the match, retire to your private lounge for the last time where you can debate the man-of-the-match for real over complimentary drinks. Once you’ve chosen him, he will be invited to the lounge to receive his award, a photograph of which will appear in a future matchday programme.

    Your guests will leave with a lasting memento of their day in the form of a corporate gift courtesy of the club.

    Package highlights:

    • Available for a party of 20
    • Private dining in the Joe Wark Lounge
    • Complimentary Bar pre and post match
    • Prime seating in the centre of the Phil O’Donnell Stand
    • Complimentary programmes and team-sheets
    • Half-time refreshments
    • Man-of-the-match presentation
    • Corporate gifts for each of your guests
    • Your company logo on the front of the matchday programme
    • A prominent advert inside the matchday programme
    • Scoreboard and public-address system annoucements
    • Priority parking

    If you would like more information or to book our Match Sponsor package, contact our commercial team now on 01698 333333 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from McDiarmid Park

    Extended highlights from McDiarmid park as Motherwell sink to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of St Johnstone.

    -WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

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    St Johnstone defeat in pictures

    Pictures from the 2-0 defeat to St Johnstone in the Scottish Professional Football League Premiership at McDiarmid Park.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography.

    [svgallery name=”stjohnstone271013″]

  • Archive

    McCall expects better after Saints loss

    Stuart McCall was left disappointed after his side turned in a below-par performance at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.

    In afternoon with virtually no positives, ‘Well slipped to a 2-0 defeat courtesy of second-half goals from Stevie May and Nigel Hasselbaink.

    McCall will now have to lift his troops ahead of Wednesday’s SPFL League Cup Quarter Final tie against second-place Aberdeen.

    “It was a poor performance and one I didn’t see coming,” the Fir Park boss admitted after the match.

    [pullquote]You can talk about systems and formations but at the end of the day, we lost too many battles and if you don’t run, tackle and do everything you need to win, you won’t win.[/pullquote]

    “For us to go away from home and win, we have to be at our best and we were certainly not at our best today.

    “We came with a shape and a system I thought we might prosper with but, after five minutes, they changed and matched us up.

    “There wasn’t much in it in the first half but we didn’t create a great deal. In the second half they got the goal and then the second one has killed us off. As much as Gunnar apologises for it, it’s down tot the weather conditions and he’s slipped, which can happen to anyone.

    “Regardless of that second goal, we didn’t deserve anything out the game today.

    “You can talk about systems and formations but at the end of the day, we lost too many battles and if you don’t run, tackle and do everything you need to win, you won’t win.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    St Johnstone 2 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Alan Burrows at McDiarmid Park

    Motherwell turned in arguably their poorest performance of the season so far to go down 2-0 to St Johnstone.

    The Steelmen were off the pace for the majority of the match at a wet and windy McDiarmid Park and the home side fully merited the three points.

    In truth, with a bit more composure in front of goal, Tommy Wright’s men could have made the win even more convincing than it was.

    In the end, goals from Stevie May and Nigel Hasselbaink was enough to secure the win as ‘Well failed in the efforts to go second in the SPFL Premiership table.

    Stuart McCall made two changes to the side that beat Hearts eight days ago. Henri Anier and Zaine Francis-Angol dropped to the substitutes bench and were replaced by Paul Lawson and Bob McHugh.

    The team lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in midfield. Former Ross County duo Lawson and Vigurs sat at the top and bottom of the diamond.

    The Fir Parkers made the better start and looked the team most likely in the first ten minutes, but it was the hosts who would create the first chance when Hasselbaink pulled it back for Paddy Cregg only for curled effort to fizz wide of the post.

    David Wortherspoon headed a Brian Easton cross wide of the post before John Sutton passed up the best opportunity of the first half.

    Simon Ramsden’s curling ball into the box was begging to be headed home, but the former Hearts man’s stooping header dropped a foot or so wide of Mannus’ left-hand post.

    Saints replied through the busy May, but his shot flashed wide of the post with Neilsen at full stretch.

    The driving ran and swirling wind was making it difficult for either side to produce anything like fluid football.

    It looked as if a set piece might be the key to breaking the deadlock and Stephen McManus might have done better with a header from Keith Lasley’s free kick; unfortunately, the former Scotland defender could only head over.

    Saints had enjoyed the best of the first-half and although ‘Well had created the more clear-cut opening, McCall wouldn’t have been too dissatisfied at going in level at the break.

    That was to change just four minutes after the restart when Stevie May opened the scoring. Gunnar Nielsen made a super stop to deny the acrobatic Gary McDonald but the ball fell fortuitously for May who tucked the rebound home from four yards out.

    Saints could have doubled their advantage shortly after when Hasselbaink’s deflected effort slid inches wide. From the resulting corner, Miller’s header was only just over the crossbar.

    Motherwell’s reply came via a long-range Bob McHugh effort that flew over the bar and a Shaun Hutchinson header that was saved by Mannus at the second attempt.

    Nielsen again had to look smart to deny Millar with a fearsome strike from the edge of the box, but the Faroese International will not remember Saints’ second, and decisive goal, with much fondness.

    When retrieving a Ramsden back-pass, the former Man City stopper slipped on the sodden McDiarmid Park surface, knocking it into the path of the prowling Hasselbaink. The former Accies man remained composed and curled the ball into the unguarded net. 2-0 Saints!

    The big keeper made some amends shortly after, denying Hasselbaink with a well-timed intervention before Ramsden had to divert a goal-bound looked shot from Wotherspoon over the bar after a wayward ball across the box had played the big keeper into trouble.

    There was a claim for a Motherwell penalty when a Lawson’s effort struck Brian Easton’s hand on the way out for a corner, but there was nothing doing from referee Calum Murray.

    Substitute Craig Moore brought out a decent save from Mannus before Sutton spurned a chance to reduce the arrears with virtually the last kick of the game but sent a shot wide of the post to complete a miserable afternoon for the Fir Parkers.

    Attention will quickly switch to Wednesday’s big League Cup Quarter Final tie with Aberdeen with ‘Well looking to rebound as quickly as possible.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at McDiarmid Park

    FT: St Johnstone 2 – 0 Motherwell

    91mins: Decen chance for a consolation goal but Sutton pokes wide from Moore’s flick on header

    89mins: Hammell booked for hauling down Davidson

    84mins: St Johnstone sub, Wotherspoon off for Edwards

    80mins: Lawson finds his way into the book for a crunching tackle.

    78mins: Let off there as Hutchinson leaves Nielsen in a footrace with May. He clears then Ramsden has to head off the line.

    76mins: Claims for handball after Lawson shot goalwards. Looked soft

    74mins: St Johnstone looking to kill the game off and should have through May then Hasselbaink. Good stop from Nielsen

    70mins: St Johnstone sub, Cregg off for Davidson

    66mins: Motherwell sub, Vigurs off for Moore

    65mins: Motherwell sub: Francis-Angol on for Carswell

    64mins: GOAL! Hasselbaink capitalises on a slip from Nielsen to make it 2-0

    60mins: Miller booked for wrestling Sutton to the ground. From the resulting free-kick, Motherwell win a corner

    59mins: Another good save from Nielsen who palms Millar’s shot over for a corner

    55mins: McHugh wins a corner…..Hutchinson’s header is saved by Mannus

    53mins: McHugh creates some space but his shot from 20 yards is over the bar

    51mins: Miller heads just over from a corner. Should have made it 2!

    49min: GOAL! St Johnstone open the scoring through May after a stunning stop from Nielsen, #1-0

    47mins: Another corner to St Johnstone, flashes just past the front post

    46mins: Second half underway

    HT: St Johnstone 0 – 0 Motherwell

    43mins: Dangerous free-kick from wide for St Johnstone….May’s shot is deflected wide for a corner

    41mins: And yet another corner to St Johnstone….Carswell finally scoops clear from the feet of Easton

    39mins: Another corner to St Johnstone. McManus heads wide for another corner. McDonald clips his shot just wide

    36mins: McManus has a free header from Lasley’s free-kick. He heads high and wide though.

    32mins: Millar gets too much time out wide and gets a cross in to the front post. Nielsen gathers.

    30mins: Half an hour gone and safe to say it’s not a classic.

    24mins: Good effort from May on the break from Saints. His effort from 20 yards whizzes just past

    22mins: McManus gets his foot on Millar’s cross to clear for a corner

    20mins: Great ball in from Ramsden to Sutton who heads inches wide! Good chance.

    12mins: Wotherspoon heads past the post from Easton’s cross.

    10mins: First corner of the game goes St Johnstone’s way…..clawed out for another corner by Nielsen.

    9mins: A good chance for Cregg! Hasselbaink but the ball back and 18 yards out, he curls just past the left post.

    2mins: Speculative effort from Hammell there. Was never going to trouble Mannus with that one from 25 yards

    1mins: Stop in play as Carswell takes one right in the face. Ouch.

    1min: Lasley and Carswell kick-off. #COYW

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “I’m naturally disappointed. It was an uncharacteristic performance from us.

    “We were off it today and we got beat. I didn’t see it coming.

    “The conditions don’t make it great for great football but, when the conditions are like that, you have to look to win it in different ways.

    “But St Johnstone deserved their victory.”

    St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

    “It was excellent from start to finish.

    “We emphasised to the players that if they kept on doing what they were doing, the goals would come. I’m really pleased after last week.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”164″]