It was a tale of missed opportunities for a young Motherwell development team as they sunk to a 2-1 defeat against Hamilton Accies on Tuesday afternoon in the cinch Reserve League cup.
Myles Gaffney and Ryan One had Accies 2-0 up in the early stages of the second half before Kian Speirs pulled one back. Controversy would strike with almost the last kick of the ball as Ally Gould’s goal was ruled out for offside despite being played on by two Hamilton defenders.
Motherwell started the game brightly and looked to get the opening right from the off. Shay Nevans was first to go close.
The young winger cut inside before driving a left footed strike towards goal, but his effort came crashing off the bar.
Logan Dunachie was next to try his luck. A cross into the box found the towering centre half but his header was cleared away before it could cross the line.
Motherwell continued to create, Speirs picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and had a go. His strike looked destined for the top corner but wastipped away by the keeper.
David Devine, currently on loan at Alloa, tried to convert in the middle of a scramble in the Accies penalty area but couldn’t find the back of the net with his shot.
Accies made Motherwell pay for missed chances just short of half time. Dunachie’s header back to keeper Aston Oxborough was intercepted with Gaffney scoring from Hamilton’s first chance of the match.
In the second half, the hosts doubled their advantage. Half time sub One finished at the near post past Oxborough after the Motherwell backline failed to clear their lines. 2-0.
Speirs looked to get one back but seen his 1v1 effort saved by the Accies stopper.
Full-back Ewan Wilson found himself in an advanced position but dragged his shot from the left hand side of the box wide.
Motherwell had a penalty shout somehow turned down when Mo Adam was fouled in the area but the referee signalled for free kick and adjudged the foul to have occurred from outside the box.
Speirs did eventually pull one back on 66 minutes. His strike from inside the box took a slight deflection and found the bottom corner to give Motherwell a path back into the game.
Continued pressure from Motherwell but no second goal was increasing frustration amongst the Motherwell squad and that was only enhanced in stoppage time.
Speirs, again at the heart of the attack, picked up the ball before finding Gould at the back post who finished on the volley to level the game. His celebration was cut short when the linesman raised the flag for offside and left Motherwell perplexed as to the reason.
