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Motherwell kept their top-six hopes alive after defeating Hearts 1-0 to record a vital three points in a crucial encounter at Park Alliance Park.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s second half strike proved to be the difference in what was a thoroughly deserved three points for the women of steel.

Following last weekend’s narrow 2-1 defeat to league leaders Rangers, Paul Brownlie made two changes from the previous outing, with Khym Ramsay and London Pollard replacing Ciara Duff and Jordan McLintock who dropped to the bench.

Looking for redemption after their previous meeting, Motherwell started on the front foot and almost netted the opener after two minutes.

Katie Rice’s strike from the edge of the box had Parker-Smith scrambling in the Hearts goal, but the keepers late reaction save kept the scoreline intact.

The women of steel’ continued to pile on the pressure and almost found the breakthrough midway through the first half.

London Pollard effortlessly worked her way into the box before curling an audacious attempt from distance, but her looping effort sailed wide of the target.

Minutes later, Amy Anderson did exceptionally well to shrug off her opponents with a delightful piece of skill before teeing up McDonald-Nguah at the edge of the box, but the strikers drilled effort flashed across the face of goal.

As the second half resumed, Motherwell pressed high, frustrating the visiting defence who looked to play out from the back.

Lori Gardner brilliantly read her opponents pass deep into Hearts’ final third, but the winger couldn’t capitalise, as she sent her effort high over the bar.

The hosts continued to dominate possession, and deservedly broke the deadlock midway through the second half.

Gill Inglis’ enticing delivery was superbly flicked on by Chelsie Watson into the path of McDonald-Nguah, who coolly converted from a few yards out.

Paul Brownlie’s side held on in the final few minutes to record a valuable three points which narrows the gap to Spartans in sixth, before facing Aberdeen on the final day of the season, with a top six finish at stake.

“We had everyone behind us and we gave the fans something to shout about. We’ve now given ourselves a chance.”

Kevin van Veen climbed out of his sick bed to put Motherwell a step closer to Europe with victory at Ross County.

The Dutchman won and netted the decisive penalty just four minutes after entering the park in Dingwall, netting the only goal of the game to lift ‘Well into the UEFA Europa Conference League spots with two games to go.

A squad decimated with illness saw 18 travel to Dingwall, but with Slattery and Van Veen only able to start proceedings from the bench.

Academy graduate Sam Campbell  – a central defender – also made his first appearance amongst the substitutes.

County started on the front foot, dominating the early proceedings and carving out the better chances.

First, Randall stung Kelly’s palms with a long-range drive that the ‘keeper did well to hold.

Shortly after, Cancola found himself completely unmarked 25 yards out from a corner, but sent his dipping effort over.

The hosts had all the possession and control until around the half-hour mark, when Motherwell started to find their feet.

The returning O’Donnell showed his international pedigree getting forward down the right and his cross to the back post was perfect for Efford, only for Randall to nick in and clear at the last.

Goss saw a 30-yard drive charged down and O’Hara had a left-footed shot go wide, while County responded with a free-flowing passing move at the other end which saw Charles-Cook fire over.

The two best chances though would fall Motherwell’s way as the half wore on.

First Efford found himself in behind on the left but saw his shot well parried wide by Laidlaw.

From the resulting corner, O’Hara sent it deep and Donnelly headed it back across goal towards the waiting crowd.

Shields rose highest between the bodies, but sent his header over the bar from 10 yards.

The second half took time to spark to life, although both sides had early chances.

Cancola again had room to shoot from distance early on, but sent his dipping shot past the post.

At the other end, Goss’ shot from 25 yards saw shouts for handball on the block in the box waved away.

Van Veen and Slattery were introduced just as County had a hat-trick of glorious chances to take the lead.

First, White was played in behind but snatched at his shot with Kelly racing out to gather.

The goalkeeper then pulled off a world-class save to tip over Spittal’s goalbound effort, shortly before White again got free but saw a shot sail over.

With 23 minutes to go and with Van Veen only just on the park, the game turned on its head.

The Dutchman was felled in the area by a lazy tackle, leaving referee David Munro clear in pointing to the spot.

Van Veen stepped up and cooly dispatched the penalty to send the large away following wild and starting to sing of going on a European tour.

The game roared on, with ‘Well sitting in and absorbing the pressure while also trying to hit on the counter.

Five minutes were found in stoppages and Kelly was again to the rescue midway through them, pulling off a miracle save unsighted to tip a goalbound effort round the post at the last second.

But it wasn’t enough for County to get back in it and Motherwell headed back down the road with three points and European dreams.

Graham Alexander says the criticism that his team have received has been deserved but believes his side can use that to push them forward.

Motherwell are currently one point behind Ross County in the cinch Premiership and the manager insists his side have the ability and the right mentality to finish in a European spot despite a poor run of form.

Sensory bags will be available for Motherwell’s fixture with Hearts on Wednesday 11 May at Fir Park. 

Bags must be pre-ordered before collection.

Each bag contains a lanyard, fidget spinner, ear defenders, stadium map and a sensory fan.

If interested, the bags can be collected from outside the Davie Cooper stand between 1845 and 1915. They must returned after the match to the same point.

These bags, which are aimed at under 16s, are only available if pre-ordered here.

Ross Tierney is your Paycare player of the month for April.

Beating Ricki Lamie, Callum Slattery and Connor Shields in the public vote, Tierney picks up his first player of the month trophy at Motherwell.

The attacking midfielder capped off a string of good performances by scoring his first home goal, against Rangers a fortnight ago.

Former Motherwell midfielder Brian Kerr is enjoying a successful season with the Under 18s as they work on the final stages of their academy tuition.

The head coach oversees the oldest and most promising talent in the club’s youth set up, with the aim of pushing as many as possible towards first team football in the near future.

The boys have been consistently sitting around the third place spot in the league table and recently enjoyed the chance to play on the Fir Park pitch for the first time.

With the season drawing to a close, Kerr reviews how the players have been progressing, and his hopes for the new campaign.

It’s time to pick your Paycare Motherwell FC player of the month for April.

To vote, head to our Facebook page and pick your favourite.

Connor Shields, Ricki Lamie, Ross Tierney and Callum Slattery are all in contention.

Motherwell play Hearts on Sunday 8 May at Alliance Park in SWPL1.

Kick off is 2:30pm.

Come and Watch

It will be pay at the gate only for the match. Entry will be £5 for adults while kids go free.

Tale of the Tape

The two sides have faced each other twice this season, with each side picking up a win. Last time out, Hearts took the three points with a 1-0 win in the capital.

The last time the sides faced at Alliance Park, it would be Motherwell who claimed the victory with a 2-0 victory. Motherwell have had eight wins out of the last 11 meetings with Hearts.

Form Guide

Motherwell were narrowly beaten by Rangers 2-1 last weekend where they ran the title chasers close. Katie Rice got on the scoresheet with a superb free kick.

Prior to that, the women of steel beat Spartans 1-0 in Edinburgh to move within three points of sixth place.

Hearts were in Scottish Cup action where they went to extra time against Celtic, before falling to a 2-0 defeat.

Since their win against Motherwell in February, Hearts have claimed four points out of a possible 24.

Ross County are the opposition in the our penultimate away match of the cinch Premiership on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm at the Global Energy Stadium.

Ticket information

Tickets for Motherwell fans can be purchased online now or visit the Fir Park ticket office.

Prices are:

• Adults: £25
• Over 65s / 18-21 year olds / Disabled Ambulant: £10
• Under 18: £5
• Wheelchair & carer £10

Watch live online

The match is available to buy on pay-per-view from Ross County in the UK and Ireland for £15.

To buy, head to ppv.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk

Form guide

The home side have been in good form, with two losses in their last eight games, both at the hands of league leaders Celtic.

Motherwell suffered a dent to their European hopes, starting their post-split fixtures with defeats to Rangers and Dundee United.

Tale of the tape

County currently sit a point above the Steelmen in the cinch Premiership.

A win for Motherwell would push them into fifth place, which would be a European spot for next season, with two games left to play.