[tab:Match report]
Grant Russell at Rugby Park
Motherwell again slumped to defeat in an evenly-contested contest at Rugby Park, losing 1-0 thanks to Scott Boyd’s first half strike.
Kilmarnock had goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald in particular to thank for keeping them in the lead, as he kept out a succession of golden chances for the Steelmen.
Trevor Carson, Peter Hartley, Chris Cadden and Louis Moult continued to miss out through injury, and they were joined on the sidelines by Elliott Frear.
Steven Hammell, Gael Bigirimana, Alex Fisher and Craig Tanner came in from the start as manager Stephen Robinson rang the changes from the 3-2 loss at Partick Thistle. Andy Rose, Allan Campbell and Deimantas Petravicius dropped to the bench.
New goalkeeper Gennadios Xenodochov came in on the bench, filling the need for a replacement the team had been lacking at Tynecastle and Firhill.
Within 11 minutes, the visitors carved out the first clear chance of the match.
After patient build-up play, Bigirimana’s cross from inside on the right was perfectly floated over the heads of the centre backs to be met by Tanner, but the forward’s header was well blocked by MacDonald.
Twelve minutes later, Kilmarnock had their first response. Youssouf Mulumbu tricked his way past three players before laying the ball right to Chris Burke. The winger’s cross found the head of Eamonn Brophy, but the ball went high over the bar.
The majority of the rest of the first half saw the ball changing possession on plenty occasions, with both sides only carving out half chances with balls into the box that failed to come to much.
But Motherwell arguably should have taken the lead with five minutes left until the break. Tidy play on the right between Tait and Bowman saw the ball break to Fisher 12 yards out. But, on his left foot, he couldn’t steer the ball far enough wide of the goalkeeper and his shot was blocked.
The hosts then took their opportunity in immediate response. Burke’s corner from the left caused havoc in the six yard box. Griffiths was blocked coming to collect and the ball bounced around until it was poked home by Scott Boyd.
Neither sides made changes at the break but Motherwell were forced into one within a minute of the restart. A head knock for Grimshaw led to him being replaced by Rose.
The first chance fell to the Steelmen. After Rose’s initial shot was blocked in the area, Fisher’s shot on the turn was well kept out by MacDonald.
Motherwell continued to knock on the door. Dunne’s header from a corner bounced wide as the visitors cranked up their pressure. And a constant stream of Bigirimana crosses went begging in the box.
Sixty-six minutes in, Kilmarnock thought they had their second. The home fans were on their feet as Jordan Jones’ deflected shot looked to have sent the diving Griffiths the wrong way. But the ‘keeper just managed to get his legs to block the ball and keep it out of the net.
Six minutes later, Newell came within a whisker of a first goal for the club. The substitute burst down the right and, at an angle, just narrowly missed seeing his shot creep inside the far post.
Motherwell continued to push but struggled to create the late effort to get them a point and the match ended in another defeat for the Lanarkshire side.
Motherwell: Griffiths, Tait, Dunne, Kipre, Hammell, Grimshaw (Rose 47), McHugh, Bigirimana (MacLean 80), Tanner, Fisher (Newell 63), Bowman.
Subs not used: Xenodochov, Livingstone, Campbell, Petravicius.
Kilmarnock: MacDonald, Taylor, Broadfoot, S Boyd, O’Donnell, Power (Jones 55), Dicker, Mulumbu, Burke (Erwin 85), Brophy (Kiltie 75), K Boyd.
Subs not used: Bell, Waters, Hawkshaw, Thomas.
[tab:As it happened]
Alastair Reilly at Rugby Park
Live Blog Kilmarnock v Motherwell
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[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: