Motherwell scored with the last kick of the ball against Kilmarnock to make it nine Premiership wins on the bounce, with Harry Paton scoring at the death to make it 2-1.
Marley Watkins early goal gave a confident Kilmarnock the upper hand which they largely maintained over a one sided first half. At that stage a weakened ‘Well side looked out of sorts but a thumping equaliser from Dan Casey just before the hour mark changed the game.
Fifteen minutes from time the Steelmen were denied the three points which looked most unlikely in the first half, when Callum Slattery’s penalty kick was well saved by Willie Dennis.
However, ‘Well continued to press for a winner and it duly arrived seven minutes into added on time when Harry Paton capped a fine second half performance steering his shot beyond Dennis to send the ‘Well fans into ecstasy as the dejected Kilmarnock players slumped to the Fir Park pitch.
On paper, Fir Park hopes of extending an unbeaten league run to nine games was hindered by a lengthening list of injuries.
Missing key players, especially in forward positions, Stuart Kettlewell gave on loan Huddersfield defender Brodie Spencer his debut. In the absence of Connor Wilkinson, Joe Efford made his first start of the season alongside Theo Bair in an impoverished home attack.
Kilmarnock seemed fully aware of the home side’s injury woes and went on the offensive from kick-off.
It took the Ayrshire side only 12 minutes to gain the advantage.
At a second attempt Danny Armstrong whipped his cross to the back post where Marley’s head guided the ball tight inside the post before Kelly’s outstretched hand could keep the ball out.
With ‘Well’s front two unable to keep the ball in Killie’s half the home defence was kept under constant pressure and after 22 minutes the visitors came close to doubling their lead when Kyle Vassell’s header flashed across Kelly’s goal.
The Killie striker was lucky six minutes later as he attempted to usher the ball over his own byeline. Slattery, though, nipped behind him to keep the ball in play before rolling it back for Blair Spittal whose powerful angled drive was parried by Willie Dennis.
Despite Killie having the bulk of the possession in ‘Well’s half, Kettlewell’s men made some threats on the visitor’s goal as half-time approached.
A couple of teasing crosses forced Dennis to leave his goal line and collect the ball as Bair waited for a slip.
Just before the break Stephen O’Donnell curled another cross into a packed box only to watch Lennon Miller, at full stretch, stooping to head the ball over the bar.
Despite that belated burst of action from the home side Kettlewell made a tactical switch at half-time bringing on Harry Paton for Efford.
And it almost paid off within five minutes. O’Donnell’s deep cross found Paton beyond the six-yard box and although the substitute did well to cut the ball back, Bair could only volley the bouncing ball over the cross bar.
Paton’s introduction in midfield provided ‘Well with greater width and the opportunity to push forward in greater numbers to support Bair and exert some pressure on the Killie defence.
And the change in approach paid off after 58 minutes when the Steelmen grabbed the equaliser.
O’Donnell and Slattery combined on the right and when the latter’s cross found Spencer on the opposite side the debutant quickly passed the ball into Casey, 12 yards from goal. The central defender, with the confidence of a striker, dragged the ball to his right before driving it low and hard beyond Dennis and raise hopes of an unexpected fightback.
Suddenly Kimarnock looked nervous as the Fir Park players fancied claiming all three points.
Another cross from O’Donnell in the 73rd minute found the overlapping Spence and although he kept his header on target it was straight into the ‘keeper’s gloves.
Four minutes later Casey was dumped at the edge of the opponent’s box by Armstrong’s challenge.
After a lengthy VAR check it was judged that the offence was inside the penalty area. But Slattery’s dreams of claiming a winner from the spot disappeared when his well struck shot was pushed away by Dennis low to his left.
When the fourth official’s board indicated eight additional minutes there was a roar of anticipation from the home fans that a sensational comeback could be achieved.
And with 97 minutes on the clock the winner finally arrived. Spittal did well to carry the ball to the byeline. And when his cut back rolled across the box, fittingly Paton stepped onto the pass before firing the ball past Dennis to cap an incredible fightback.
