Motherwell lost out 3-2 to Kilmarnock in a well-contested friendly at Fir Park on Friday.
An even first half was followed by a dominant display in the second 45 from the Steelmen, but they were punished for failing to make their dominance pay.
The first half was low on chances for both sides. Long-range efforts from Turnbull and Maguire failed to seriously test the ‘keeper, while both also combined at close range, with Turnbull’s knockdown seeing Maguire fire wide from 12 yards.
With five minutes left in the half, Burke’s corner was swung in from the right in front of the Cooper Stand, with Kabamba getting across the front of his man and steering a header into the left of the net.
Early in the second, Motherwell were level. Hastie’s cut inside on the right saw him stand the ball up to the back post.
Fellow sub Hylton read the intention, peeling off and heading the ball down to Polworth, who then teed up O’Hara to fire home a ferocious low effort into the bottom right corner from 25 yards.
Hylton could have made it two 10 minutes later. Another ball from the lively Hastie caused trouble for the visiting ‘keeper who missed the flight of the ball under pressure. But the winger just couldn’t bundle the unexpected ball at the back post.
Christopher Long made his return after signing on for a second year and he was next to seriously test the goalkeeper. Laid off by Watt on the edge of the area, his attempt to disguise a placed shot into the bottom right corner was well read and saved.
‘Well continued to press. McGinley’s cross from the left fell sweetly for Watt 12 yards out, but his volley was blocked.
The sucker punch would arrive with 15 to go. Against the run of play a low cross from the left was met by a Kilmarnock trialist, who was able to steer the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Then, with five minutes late, Motherwell levelled again.
Hastie again was brilliant down the right, twisting, turning and beating his opposite number all ends up. His perfectly-flighted to the back post was met by Watt, who headed down under pressure into the net.
Within 60 seconds, Kilmarnock retook the lead. From kick off, a break down the right played in Kiltie, who fired low past Carson from a tight angle into the left of the net.
Motherwell: Carson, Grimshaw (Cornelius 60), Donnelly (Mugabi 60), Lamie (Hussain 82), McGinley (Johnston 75), Maguire (O’Hara 45), Campbell, (Polworth 45), Turnbull (Long 60), Robinson (Hastie 45), Seedorf (Hylton 45), White (Watt 45).
Kilmarnock first half: Trialist, Millen, Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters, Power, El Makrini, Burke, McKenzie, Brophy, Kabamba
Kilmarnock second half: Lyle, Trialist, Broadfoot (Dicker), Rossi, Taylor, Kiltie, Brindley, Pinnock, Trialist, Cameron, Connell
