For the fourth Development League match in a row, the Under 20s came back from behind to rescue a point when they drew 1-1 with Hearts this evening.
The Jambos took an early lead when defender Leon Jones bundled home a near post corner with the first real attack of the game.
It remained that way until the 69th minute when Louis Laing scored a sensational equaliser to bring his side deservedly level.
The game would eventually finish all square with the Steelmen feeling a little aggrieved at having to accept just a single point.
Under 20s assistant Keith Lasley was able to call on the experience of the likes of Craig Samson, Louis Laing, Wes Fletcher, David Clarkson and Theo Robinson in his starting eleven.
Hearts had plenty of recognisable names amongst their line up too with Jordan McGhee, Danny Swanson, Arnaud Djoum and Gavin Reilly all featuring.
And it was the Jambos who drew first blood when, after a near post Swanson corner, Jones was able to somehow bundle the ball over the line, even if he didn’t appear to know too much about it.
Motherwell immediately went about trying to level and Chris Cadden almost equalised two minutes later, only for his shot to be hooked off the line.
The Jambos defence came under the cosh, but put their bodies on the line on several occasions, including vital blocks from Ben Hall and Clarkson, both of whom shot from the edge of the area.
Cadden had another effort on 18 minutes when after good play between Clarkson and Robinson, the young midfielder slipped his shot wide of target.
Motherwell continues to attack and after Robinson had taken on a long-range effort that Hamilton comfortably stopped, Wes Fletcher came so close to scoring.
The former York man picked up on a loose ball inside the area and after wriggling clear of three players, slotted past the ‘keeper only to watch it finish the wrong side of the post.
Hearts had a couple of half-chances when Kenny Anderson and Reilly both missed with close-range efforts, before Motherwell came within an inch of levelling.
Cadden’s cross from the right caused problems and when the Hearts defence failed to properly clear, Theo Robinson crashed a stinging low effort off the base of the post. Allan Campbell followed up on the rebound, but his shot hit a deflection on route and rolled out for a corner.
Shortly before the break, Clarkson had Fletcher in with a neat through ball, but as he pulled the trigger, again Hearts recovered well to block.
Motherwell started the second half on the front foot and Robinson was almost in after just 50 seconds before Clarkson again had a shot from the edge of the area blocked by the outrushing Hearts defence.
Jack Ross’ side had a rare venture forward and Swanson hit a free-kick straight at Samson before Cadden replied with a bursting run and shot that again flew wide.
Motherwell’s persistence finally paid off when Louis Laing brought his side level in spectacular fashion.
Picking the ball up ten yards inside the Hearts half, he nipped away from Swanson, dropped the shoulder past Djoum before side footing a beautiful shot high past Hamilton into the postage stamp top right hand corner from twenty yards. A sublime strike from the former Sunderland and Forest centre back!
‘Well were almost ahead just three minutes later when McMillan and MacLean combined on the right to set-up Cadden on the edge, but his shot deflected inches wide.
Hearts settled after the setback of the equalising goal and full-back Liam Smith shot over after getting in behind Watt following a neat cross-field diagonal.
Play swung from end to end with both teams desperate for a winner.
Sub Mackin thought he had it when he beat Hamilton to the jump, only for his header to drop agonisingly wide. Down the other end, Jambos sub Ian Smith curled a free-kick that forced Samson into an excellent two-handed save.
Neither team could get that decisive second though as the game ended in a draw, the fourth of the season for both teams.
Motherwell: Samson, McMillan, Watt, Laing, Hall, Campbell, MacLean, Clarkson, Fletcher (Watters – 70mins), Robinson (Mackin – 80mins), Cadden
Subs Not Used: Morrison, R. Leitch, Ferguson, Livingston, Moore
Phil McGhee Fir Park
