Ten-man Motherwell slipped to a 4-2 defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this evening.
Both teams played out a fairly even first forty-five minutes, but when Steven Saunders was red carded for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity seconds before the interval, it changed the match.
The hosts came out the traps at the start of the second period and took just three minutes to get their noses in front, Craig Slater slamming home.
Incredibly though, Motherwell roared back into the game and equalized through Lee Erwin and went ahead when Lee Ashcroft headed a Josh Watt cross into his own net.
However, Killie made their extra man count and substitute Greg Kiltie leveled before putting his side ahead for the second time.
Despite being a man down, ‘Well went pushing for another equalizer but left themselves open at the back. That was to prove crucial as Rabiu Ibrahim confirmed the win with a clinical counter-attacking goal nine minutes from time.
Jonathan Johansson made three changes from the side that beat Hibs 4-1 in Edinburgh two weeks ago. Lee Hollis, Zaine Francis-Angol and Bob McHugh all dropped out, and were replaced by Ross Stewart, Ross Kellock and Lee Erwin.
Killie had returning striker Kris Boyd in their starting eleven and he was joined by recognizable names such as Garry Hay and January buy Rabiu Ibrahim.
And it was the hosts who started the game on the front foot; Davidson fired wide and Slater blazed over as the Ayrshire side looked to grab an early lead.
‘Well soaked up the early pressure and gradually worked their way into the match. Watt brought out a good save from Calum Dillon before Saunders fired the resulting corner high over the crossbar.
Killie’s Mark Taylor made Ross Stewart work for the first time in the match after twenty minutes with a stinging low shot; Motherwell replied through Jack Leitch but he ballooned an effort after industrious wing play from young Kellock.
Kris Boyd will provide superb attacking fodder for Killie before the end of the season but the SPL’s record scorer looked like a player short in match practice. His shot from the edge of the box, after some patient build-up from the impressive Ibrahim, was the easiest Stewart would deal with all evening.
At the other end, Dale Shirkie thought he had Motherwell in front when he bundled home a corner but the match official was in close attendance to rule it out for what appeared to be a push.
As the half-time interval approach, Kellock fired a shot narrowly wide and Lee Erwin’s goalbound effort was smartly blocked by both Killie centre-backs.
With seconds left to the break, the game was turned on its head with the dismissal of Steven Saunders for pulling down Taylor as he raced in on Stewart. The referee was left with little option and the Steelmen would play the whole second half a man light.
Johansson introduced Morygn Neill at the break in place of Dale Shirkie with Lee Erwin asked to plan the lone striker role.
Killie looked lively and they scored just three minutes after the restart. Ibrahim released Slater on the right hand side of the penalty area. He showed excellent composure to step inside his marker and curl a left-footed shot into the far corner leaving Stewart helpless.
It was the goal Killie were desperate for and when Kris Boyd was denied a return goal by the feet of Stewart just minutes later, you may have been forgiven for thinking the game was a forgone conclusion. Motherwell had other ideas.
Some indecision in the home rearguard allowed Paul McCafferty to nip in and steal the ball. He teed it up for Erwin who shifted the ball onto his left foot and drilled it low under Dillon.
Astonishingly, the visitors took the lead three minutes later. Watt collected a loose ball on the left flank and his attempted cross for Erwin was bulleted into his own net off the underside of the bar by the unlucky Ashcroft.
Kilmarnock replaced Hay and the otherwise ineffectual Boyd with Hendry and Kiltie and it changed the match completely.
Indeed, Kiltie was to prove an inspired change as he equalized with his first touch. The youngster got on the end of a lovely Ibrahim reverse ball and smashed it home despite the best efforts of Stewart.
The same player got his second, and Killie’s third, ten minutes later, pouncing on a miscued shot by Taylor to tuck home from close range. It was incredibly fortunate turn of events but a neat finish from the substitute.
Despite the setback, ‘Well continued to push for a second equalizer. Watt must have thought he was going to get it after a lovely one-two with Erwin on the edge of the box, but somehow the home side survived.
It was to prove a pivotal moment as Kilmarnock almost immediately went up the park and scored the decisive fourth. Ibrahim burst clear and with the defenders standing off, he slotted it past Stewart. It was the last real action of a thoroughly entertaining match.
Johansson will have been frustrated by the manner in which his side lost goals but proud at the way his young side battled for everything for the whole ninety minutes.
The Steelmen will look to bounce back when they face Inverness at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon.
Motherwell: Stewart, Devlin, Kellock (Johnstone – 70mins), Saunders, Murray, Asghar, McCafferty, Erwin, Leitch (Thomas – 82mins), Shirkie (Neill – 46mins), Watt
Subs Not Used: Currie, Green, Higgins
Goals: Erwin (55), Killie OG (58)
Booked: Erwin (13)
Sent Off: Saunders (45)
Phil McGhee at Fir Park
