Motherwell picked up all three points in their Reserve Cup group stage clash with Queen of the South at Palmerston.
George Newell’s penalty gave the Steelmen a 1-0 victory against the Doonhamers, edging what was a rather quiet encounter in Dumfries.
It was surprising that the game remained goalless for the opening half hour, with a whole host of chances falling for the travelling reserves.
James Scott went closest, sending a neat effort past the keeper from a narrow angle, but missing the target by inches.
It was a well spotted foul by the referee’s assistant which afforded Motherwell a glorious chance to break the deadlock.
Kyle MacDonald threaded a neat pass through for the run of Newell, who couldn’t get on the end of it due to Queen’s defender Dan Harvey dragging him to the deck just inside the 18 yard box.
Newell made no mistake from the spot, sending Jack Leighfield the wrong way to put ‘Well one up after 35 minutes.
In a game largely dominated by Craigan’s side, the hosts should have levelled and went extremely close to doing so.
With just three minutes remaining, David Norman sent in a terrific cross which right back Ewan Gourlay got his head to, but his effort flashed narrowly past the far post.
With two wins from two in the group stage, the reserves’ next group game is at home to Dunfermline Athletic on Monday, 15 October.