Despite creating numerous chances, a late Dundee equaliser forced ‘Well Under 20s to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Excelsior Stadium.
The Steelmen had gone ahead when Dylan Mackin forced the ball over the line from close range.
Stephen Craigan’s side had created numerous chances both before and after that strike, but failed to take any of them.
And when Josh Skelly levelled things up with two minutes left on the clock, it left ‘Well kicking themselves at dropping two points.
The Fir Parkers were able to name several experienced players in the side, including Craig Samson, Louis Laing and Wes Fletcher.
David Ferguson, Luke Watt, Chris Cadden, Dom Thomas and Dylan Mackin could also count on first-team experience.
Motherwell started the game positively and after a couple of half chances for Fletcher, Laing could and perhaps should have opened the scoring after nine minutes. The former Sunderland and Notts Forest defender got on the end of a Thomas corner, only to prod a shot straight at Kyle Gourlay.
Shortly after, Gourlay was again in action, saving from Wes Fletcher before Watt shot wide and Thomas curled over. Fletcher had another turn and shot saved by the visitor’s goalkeeper as ‘Well continued to push.
It took until the 25th minute for Dundee to register a shot at goal, but Sam Dryden’s long-range hit flew high over the bar.
John Black went much closer just sixty seconds later though, when his half volley was expertly turned around the post by Samson. From the resulting corner, Kerr Waddell’s cross found Aussie midfielder Jesse Curran, but his header was straight at the ‘Well stopper.
Motherwell were soon back on the attack though and again it was Fletcher, this time played in by Cadden, only to pull a low effort inches wide of the far post.
Dundee were still in the hunt though and had their second free header with the space of seven minutes, but Waddell could only flash it wide from the penalty spot.
Just before the break, Cadden turned terrifically well inside the area only to watch as Gourlay palmed out his low cross. The rebounded landed at David Ferguson, but he dragged a low shot off target.
Much like their first-team counterparts last weekend, Dundee came out the traps at the second half, and Samson had to again look smart to deny Black, this time palming a low shot wide for a corner.
Motherwell continued to look the more threatening of the two teams though and half time sub Allan Campbell flashed a volley at goal, only for it to deflect wide on route. When the corner came across, it fell fortuitously for Robbie Leitch, but Gourlay was on hand to comfortably stop his low shot.
After missing a couple of chances, Fletcher turned provider on the 70th minute, running the channel before cutting it back for Mackin on the edge, only for his shot to be again blocked by the stubborn Dee rear-guard.
Three minutes later, it was again Fletcher who passed up a chance to score, combining well with the vibrant Dom Thomas before smashing it over from six yards out.
However, it wasn’t long before ‘Well finally got the goal their chances merited. Sub David Turnbull, who had come on for Leitch, burst clear down the right before sending a low ball into the area. Fletcher picked up, but his shot was blocked, spinning towards Dylan Mackin who took a touch before thumping home his seventh of the campaign.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Motherwell passed up a glorious chance to secure the three points. Fletcher burst away from his marker on the left, leaving the Dundee defence in his wake. Cutting in, he had Thomas, unmarked, screaming for a square ball, but the former York man took it on himself with Gourlay blocking with his legs.
Three minutes later, Thomas almost netted after a brilliant solo run, but could only fire over the crossbar from about 20 yards out.
And Motherwell would be made pay for all those missed chances when Dundee levelled things up with just two minutes left on the clock. Skelly collected down the right flank, leaving him one on one with Maguire. After wriggling clear, cutting in on his left foot, he smashed it hard past Samson to rescue a point for his side.
Motherwell: Samson, McMillan (Livingstone – 46mins), Maguire, Laing, Ferguson, Watt (Campbell- 46mins), Cadden, R. Leitch (Turnbull – 66mins), Thomas, Fletcher, Mackin
Subs: Morrison, Moore, Hastie, Falconer