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The Under 20s extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-0 victory over Inverness this afternoon.

The Steelmen dominated from the first minute to the last, but clear cut chances were at a premium.

The winning goal came with sixty-seven minutes on the clock, when Dylan Mackin slotted home his eleventh of the campaign.

The Highlanders created very little during the game, but for a 90th minute shot from distance that went high over the bar.

Stephen Craigan named another youthful side with no over-age outfield players for the fourth consecutive match.

Ross MacLean came back into the starting eleven following his suspension last week with Josh Moore taking his place amongst the subs. Dylan Mackin was the only other chance, replacing namesake Falconer in the starting eleven.

‘Well made a positive start and tested Daniel Hoban within two minutes when on-loan Airdrie due Ferguson and Mackin combined, but the Caley keeper got down to save the striker’s header.

Eight minutes later and Leitch spurned a close range shot after a good cross from McMillan and a tee up from MacLean.

‘Well continued to dominate possession but were struggling to open up the rigid Inverness defence. Jake Hastie, David Turnbull and Barry Maguire all took on efforts from distance, but none would trouble Hoban.

Just after the half-hour a foul on Leitch presented Watt a chance from the free-kick. His first effort cannoned into the wall, before he lashed the rebound high over the crossbar.

The second half was seventeen minutes old before either side registered a chance. MacLean curled a 30-yard free-kick high over the crossbar.

Inverness were rarely up the park, let alone causing problems for Craig Samson in the hosts’ goal, but Andrew MacRea wasn’t able to capitalise after the fortuitous deflection on the edge of the area.

However, with their next attack, Motherwell would take the lead. Leitch picked up on a loose ball before knocking a brilliant ball over the top for Mackin who burst in on the goalkeeper. The big striker kept his composure to coolly slot through the goalkeeper.

That would be the last noteworthy of action of a fairly quiet afternoon, but for a late Inverness shot from Blair MacLennan what sailed high and wide of target.

Motherwell: Samson, Ferguson, McMillan, Maguire, Watt, Campbell, MacLean, Turnbull, Mackin, Hastie (Falconer – 85mins), R. Leitch (Moore – 78mins)

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Livingstone

Goals: Mackin

Partick Thistle visit Fir Park this Saturday and our special guest for the match is Motherwell legend Colin O’Neill.

Colin played for the Club from 1988-1992 and was central to the 90/91 Scottish Cup run – who can forget his screamer against Celtic in the semi-final replay at Hampden!

Colin and his party will be guest of the Club in the Centenary Suite, where you can join him for the afternoon.

It’s a 3pm kick-off, so why not combine an afternoon meal with a competitive Ladbrokes Premiership game against the Firhill side.

All packages include a ticket, match programme, team-sheet and half time refreshments.

You can choose from three packages:

Centenary Claret: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full, four course table service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.

Centenary Amber: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full four course table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now for £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.

Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite pre-match and at half-time with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post-match.

Book now for £70 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

01698 333333 | hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk | #MFC25A

Motherwell U20s are back in action on Tuesday afternoon when they face Inverness CT at the Excelsior Stadium.

Stephen Craigan’s side are on a three-match unbeaten run with wins over St Johnstone and Rangers and a draw with Dundee United.

Their form has moved them up to sixth in the Development League table, their highest position of the season so far.

They sit ten points behind fifth place St Johnstone, but have a game in hand, so can’t afford any slips if they’re to catch the Perth Saints.

Caley sit second bottom in sixteenth, but in a tight table sit just six points behind ‘Well ten places above them. A win for the Highlanders could jump them seven places into 9th.

The match will take place at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium, kick-off is 2pm.

Extended highlights from McDiarmid Park as despite taking the lead through Louis Moult, Motherwell lose 2-1 to St Johnstone.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee couldn’t hide his frustrations after yet another late goal cost his side dearly.

For the fifth league game in the last eight, Motherwell have lost a stoppage time goal, leaving them six points worse off than they currently are.

The Steelmen had taken the lead when Louis Moult headed home James McFadden’s corner but after David Wotherspoon had levelled things up shortly before the half-time break, Tam Scobbie headed home the winner with just seconds remaining.

[pullquote]It is a concern and we have to look at it, how we have lost the goals, see if there is a common thread and do as much as we can to stop it happening.[/pullquote]

“When it goes as often as it has, we have to consider there is some way they are not thinking right,” McGhee said.

“We’ve talked about it after the match as it’s a serious situation.

“Those last couple of minutes they have got to hear alarm bells ringing in their ears. There are certain things they cannot afford to do.

“It is a concern and we have to look at it, how we have lost the goals, see if there is a common thread and do as much as we can to stop it happening.”

Action images from today’s 1-2 loss to St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership at McDiarmid Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”stjohnstone200216″]

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at McDiarmid Park

Motherwell lost yet another late goal, their sixth in the last ten games, to lose 2-1 to St Johnstone this afternoon.

The visitors had went ahead when Louis Moult nodded James McFadden’s corner home in the 33rd minute, but David Wotherspoon caught out Connor Ripley at his near post with an excellent strike two minutes before the interval.

The game looked to be heading for a draw but there was yet another late sting in the tail when Tam Scobbie converted Simon Lappin’s free-kick just as the 90 minutes were up to seal all three points.

Motherwell initially named the same team and 3-4-2-1 formation that won 3-0 at Tannadice on Tuesday but Scott McDonald pulled out after the warm-up because of a tight hamstring. Wes Fletcher took his place.

St Johnstone had the first early chance when Louis Laing lost the ball but Steven MacLean fired over from 22 yards.

The pitch was cutting up badly and there was little quality on show but Motherwell began to exert some territorial advantage and threaten from corners.

Their tactic was for McFadden to put the ball into a crowded six-yard box and Alan Mannus twice palmed away the former Saints player’s deliveries before the next one went straight behind for a goal kick.

But the former Scotland international was more successful with his next effort. Moult came back out to meet the inswinging cross on the six-yard line and head into the far corner.

The Perth side came alive and Wotherspoon was the threat. He forced Ripley to push his corner over and then set up Craig, who fired over first time from eight yards.

Motherwell appeared to be expecting another cross when Wotherspoon collected Craig’s pass on the angle of the box on the left-hand side, but the former Hibernian player swerved a shot inside Ripley’s near post.

Motherwell switched to a 4-4-2 at half time as Steven Hammell replaced McFadden, who had picked up a knock late in the opening period.

They looked the likelier team just after the restart but could not test Mannus.

Chris Cadden stabbed over Marvin Johnson’s cross, Moult headed over Hammell’s free-kick and Fletcher shot weakly at the keeper after intercepting Darnell Fisher’s pass.

Saints improved and Graham Cummins glanced Scobbie’s cross past the far post before Ripley held Murray Davidson’s effort at the second attempt.

Craig missed a great chance in the 78th minute when he volleyed Wotherspoon’s cross just past from 10 yards but Motherwell could not hold on.

A tired Ben Hall tripped Sutton on the edge of the area, allowing another former ‘Well man, Simon Lappin, to whip in a free kick. His cross found Tam Scobbie and he rose almost unopposed to head home.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at McDiarmid Park

FT: St Johnstone 2 – 1 Motherwell

90′ | 2-1
Goal – Scobbie heads home Lappin’s free-kick delivery.

89′ | 1-1
Hall booked for a foul on Sutton about 30 yards out

84′ | 1-1
Cadden bursts past Scobbie and is hacked to the ground. Could easily have seen red but ref shows the yellow.

80′ | 1-1
Final St Johnstone change, Lappin on for Craig.

79′ | 1-1
Motherwell sub, Fletcher off for Ainsworth.

78′ | 1-1
What a chance for Craig to put Saints 2-1up but he pulls his shot wide of the post. A let-off.

73′ | 1-1
Davidson gets on the end of a low cross to the edge of the box. He volleys first time but it’s comfortable for Ripley.

71′ | 1-1
St Johnstone sub, MacLean off for Sutton.

68′ | 1-1
Glorious chance for Cummins as he has a free-header in the box but can’t divert it on target.

65′ | 1-1
Loose pass is intercepted by Fletcher. With no support he has to go alone but his shot from range is weak and Mannus gathers.

And a St Johnstone change, Thomson off for Cummins.

64′ | 1-1
Motherwell sub, Gomis makes way for Pearson

59′ | 1-1
Fisher booked for obstructing Johnson. Free-kick wide on the left for ‘Well….Hammell finds Moult but he heads over!

429 ‘Well fans here today in the 3039 attendance. Thanks as always for your support. #SJFCvMFC

49′ | 1-1
Chance! Johnson swings it in low, deflects off Fletcher and falls to Cadden but under pressure he fires over from 6 yards!

Second half is underway. COYW!

Half time sub for Motherwell, McFadden off for Hammell.

HT: St Johnstone 1 – 1 Motherwell #SJFCvMFC

43′ | 1-1
Goal – Wotherspoon pulls Saints level with a shot from the left hand side of the box. 1-1 here at McDiarmid.

41′ | 0-1
Good chance for Craig as he gets on the end of Wotherspoon’s low ball but he scoops it well over the bar from 15 yards.

….and is impeded on the third delivery. Free-kick to ‘Well.

36′ | 0-1
Lasley has to head Craig’s cross wide for a corner. Ripley palms the delivery over the bar for a second corner……

McFadden whips in a great ball to the head of MOULT who does the rest and nods home. 1-0 to ‘Well!

32′ | 0-1
And another corner. ‘Well have yet to make their delivery count…..GGOOOAAALLL!!!!

30′ | 0-0
Cadden wins another corner down the right hand side.

26′ | 0-0
Cadden’s cross is deflected out for a corner by Shaughnessy.

25′ | 0-0
Fletcher cushions Johnson’s cross into the feet of Moult who fires well over the bar from just outside the box.

16′ | 0-0
Both players back in the action after a look from the physios.

15′ | 0-0
Fletcher and Scobbie off the pitch getting treatment for a head knock. Looked a sore one.

13′ | 0-0
McFadden does well down the left and wins a corner. Fires it in low and finds McManus at the front post but his shot is blocked!

4′ | 0-0
First chance of the game as MacLean robs Laing and sets up Davidson outside the box but thankfully he fires well over the bar

Motherwell get the game underway. COYW! #SJFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell  manager Mark McGhee:

“In general it was fine. We played well enough, we played the conditions, it’s not a pitch you can play any football on.

“The commitment and attitude was good. If you don’t get a second goal you have got to be vigilant. We didn’t do well enough, we defended the free-kick too deep.”

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright:

“I’m pleased for the players and proud of them as well. Because at 1-0 there were a few jitters around the ground. I suppose with the levels of success we have had, that’s to be expected.

“But we showed character to get back in the game and keep going right to the end. It was never a pretty game, it was never going to be, and we came out the right side of it.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”265″]

‘Well boss Mark McGhee admits he has a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s game at McDiarmid Park.

The Steelmen brought a disappointing run of results to an end with a solid 0-3 win at Tannadice on Tuesday night.

The Fir Park boss not only made five changes to the starting line-up, but played a new formation never played used this term.

However, the win and performance won’t guarantee any player who started and automatic pick for Perth, with the Fir Park boss adamant he has to select his side based on who he feels is most effective to take on Tommy Wright’s men.

“It has to be horses for courses, even if it’s the same horses,” McGhee told the Broadcast press and Motherwell’s pre-match news conference.

[pullquote]“On Tuesday, we left out our two full-backs in place of our wingers, which was particularly significant, and I’m not too sure we can go to St Johnstone and do that, so that is something we’ll have to give a lot of thought to.[/pullquote]

“Just because it worked at Dundee United doesn’t necessarily mean it will work at McDiarmid Park. Dundee United have a particular way of playing, which is why we lined up how we did during the week.

“St Johnstone don’t play that way, they have two players in the wide areas (at both full-back and on the wing) and if we went the same again, we’d only have one on each side, which could cause problems, so we’ve got to weight up all these variables.”

The Fir Park boss was also wary of anyone getting too far ahead of themselves in the wake of that win on Tayside.

The three points moved ‘Well up to eighth in the Premiership table, but it remains delicately poised with only six point separating the teams from Ross County in fourth to Kilmarnock in eleventh.

He added: “One game is nothing, we need a run of four, five or six games without defeat as we head into this vital stage of the season.

“It would only be at that point could we ever start looking above us.

“At the moment we’re a long way from that, we’re in a fight along with seven or eight other clubs and we most do all we can to try and maintain some.”

Extended highlights from Tannadice as a Scott McDonald brace and a Stephen McManus header gives ‘Well a 3-0 win over Dundee Utd.

Mark McGhee revealed a 4am text conversation with assistant Stephen Robinson inspired the Steelmen to victory over Dundee Utd.

The Fir Park boss was struggling to sleep after Saturday’s loss against Kilmarnock, and came up with the idea of a change of shape ahead of the United clash.

It worked a treat as an unusual 3-4-1-2 line-up caused the hosts problems, eventually resulting in a 0-3 victory for the Fir Park men.

“I woke the other night at four in the morning as I had been thinking about it,” McGhee explained.

[pullquote]”I sent my assistant, Steve Robinson, a text at four in the morning saying 3-4-1-2 and we started discussing it and, by the time we got to work, we knew what we wanted.[/pullquote]

“I don’t know any team that I’ve managed that have played like that before, but that’s the way we had to be.

“We have over-played at times. We knew how they would play, the pressure they would put us under in terms of returning the ball and we decided to match it.

“We set out to do a job and I thought we did it very, very well.”