Motherwell surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Hamilton Academical in the Reserve League on Monday.
Casper Sloth’s well-taken first half goal had Maurice Ross’ side ahead at the break, before Christy Manzinga’s cross was turned into the net thanks to an own goal from Ciaran McKenna early in the second.
But Jamie Hamilton’s double, both headed efforts from set plays, ensured the visitors left with a share of the spoils.
A host of first team players got minutes at Broadwood Stadium. Trevor Carson, Bevis Mugabi, Christian Ilic, Barry Maguire and the aforementioned Sloth all featured, with some getting the full 90 under their belts.
It took just five minutes for Motherwell to take the lead. Dean Cornelius, starting at right back, got down the flank and crossed for Ilic. The Croatian quickly laid the ball into the path of Sloth just outside the area, and he put his laces through the bouncing ball to find the bottom left corner of the net.
A back-and-forth fixture then looked to be firmly in the Steelmen’s grasp seven minutes into the second period. The powerful run of Manzinga took him from middle to right, before firing the ball in low and hard to the six yard box.
There were no Motherwell takers but, despite calls from his goalkeeper who had come to gather, McKenna inadvertently steered the ball into his own net.
Thirteen minutes later, Accies were back in the game. Defender Hamilton rose at the back post on the left side to power home a header from a perfectly-weighted free kick.
Motherwell struggled to create chances and, at the death, had their lead taken from them. A carbon copy free kick from the other side was met by Jamie Hamilton, who placed his header past Carson to take the draw.
Motherwell: Carson, Cornelius, Mugabi, Devine (McDonald), Hussain, Maguire (Brown), Sloth, Semple, MacIver, Ilic, Manzinga (Starrs).
Subs: Connolly, Williamson, Muir, Kettings.