Motherwell under-20s determination paid off as the youngsters grabbed a last-gasp winner against an experienced Kilmarnock side in the Development League.
Alfie Agyeman’s late goal secured a fifth win in seven league games for the Steelmen – who have started the campaign in fine form.
Stephen Craigan’s young starting line up, including a start for goalscorer Agyeman and Luke Watt, currently on a development loan with Airdrie, was in stark contrast to the hosts, who included Scott Boyd, Chris Burke, Lee Erwin and Eamonn Brophy in their line up.
It was a dominant first half for the Steelmen, who controlled possession and created the best chances of the game despite going in to the break goalless.
James Scott had two one-on-one chances denied by Curtis Lyle in fairly quick succession and Agyeman nearly marked his spot in the starting eleven with a goal when his effort from distance flew just over the crossbar in the 25th minute.
Davie Turnbull tried his luck from range too but his goal bound effort deflected over for a corner which ex-Well man Erwin managed to then hook clear.
Down the other end, Morrison enjoyed a quiet first period whilst Craigan’s youngsters continued to press for an opener.
And it nearly came in style, when Ross MacLean, Motherwell’s oldest player on the park at just 20 years of age, burst energetically through the middle of the park before striking a venomous effort on target, but Lyle was on hand to dive high to his left and palm away from goal, before smothering the loose ball at the second attempt.
The home side started stronger in the second half though, and nearly found themselves in front inside the first minute.
Some neat work from Burke nearly led to the opener when the midfielders cross ricocheted wide of Morrison’s near post.
A few minutes later, Higgins headed on to the roof of the net from a corner before Brophy glanced a headed effort narrowly wide as Morrison continued to have a fairly quiet night in the Motherwell goal.
The Fir Parkers started to get a hold on the game though against their experienced opponents and a fortunate opportunity fell the visitors way when a miscommunication at the back led Lyle to mistakingly pick up a back pass and gift ‘Well an indirect freekick just yards wide of the six-yard box.
With the angle too tight to work a shot, the ball was rolled to the more central Livingstone just inside the box, but the youngster couldn’t keep it down and a decent chance went a begging.
The home side looked to improve things by withdrawing Lee Erwin, who was kept quiet all night by the Fir Parkers back line, and bringing on Innes Cameron.
Craigan made some changes too, brining on Dylan Falconer and 16-year-old Jamie Semple in place of James Scott and Luke Watt, who picked up a knock.
And teenager Semple looked sharp as soon as he was introduced, linking neatly with his fellow substitute Falconer down the left flank before clipping in a neat cross which Lyle did well to read and pluck out of the air.
It looked like the hosts were set to stage a repeat of their late winner the last time Motherwell under-20s made the trip to Rugby Park, when Maguire’s first mishap of the evening fell kindly for Brophy just four yards out, but somehow the 21-year-old miscued his effort well wide.
That allowed 17-year-old Agyeman to punish the hosts down the other end with the last kick of the ball, side-footing past Lyle courtesy of a slight deflection as Craigan’s side moved to within a point of Development League leaders Dundee with a game in hand.