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He may be just a few months in to his captaincy at Fir Park, but Peter Hartley knows the importance of his leadership in the coming weeks.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against St Johnstone, the message from the manager was simple: it’s time to stand up and be counted.

And for 30-year-old Hartley, it’s something he believes each and every player in the dressing room is capable of doing.

“We know what’s at stake and that we need to be better,” he admitted. “There’s definitely been times when we’ve played well but perhaps not got the results, but now is the time for results to follow.”

St Mirren and Dundee lie in wait for a Motherwell side searching for a much-needed win, and the skipper admits the next two games are crucial for him and his teammates.

He said: “They’re massive, of course they are. To be going up against two sides sitting below us in the table is incentive enough for us to go out there and do what we have to, and that’s get points on the board, it’s as simple as that.

“On top of that I think it’s also safe to say that we’re not a million miles away at the moment. We’ve come through a sticky patch of injuries, we’ve been unlucky at points, and I believe all it takes is a victory to spark us back in to life.”

And while it sounds simple, the captain is well aware that it isn’t.

He said: “After the game on Saturday the atmosphere in the dressing room wasn’t doom and gloom, it was different. There was a real sense of determination but also anger with ourselves, a sense that we all knew we have to find that bit extra to pick up points.

“It’s one thing creating more chances or having more of the ball, but what matters is that for the last few games we haven’t had that extra bit needed to get over the line.”

He added: “Every game in this league is a difficult one, you see examples of it every week and all it takes is a quick glance at the table for you to see how competitive this division is.

“One thing that I always believe in with this group is our mentality. We’ve arrived back in to training this week and haven’t let anything get to us or deter us from the task at hand.”

He added: “Are we in a disappointing position? Absolutely. Do we have the character and desire to turn things around? Of course.

“We’ve shown the supporters that we’ve got it in us before, and we’ll be sure to show it again.”

Motherwell have received three nominations for this year’s Scottish Women’s Football annual awards.

Top scorer Suzanne Mulvey is one of four players up for the SWPL 2 Player of the Year award, going head to head with St Johnstone’s Jade McDonald, Lauren Evans from Glasgow Girls and Hearts’ Pamela Liddell.

The team collectively have been nominated for the Senior Team of the Year gong, marking their incredible season which has seen them win the league with a record points tally and upset the odds by reaching the SSE Scottish Cup final.

Motherwell are up against the nation’s top two clubs, Glasgow City and Hibernian, as well as Forfar Farmington.

Former boss Eddie Wolecki Black has also been nominated for Senior Coach of the Year for his efforts in delivering the league title, before departing for Celtic.

This year’s awards dinner will take place in Glasgow on Saturday, 17 November.

Get your tickets for our own Player of the Year awards

Our women’s team have had a hugely successful year, lifting the SWPL 2 title in record time and reaching the SSE Women’s Scottish Cup final against Hibernian.

Let’s celebrate their success as we hold their Player of the Year awards dinner on Friday, 16 November.

For just £32 per person, you can enjoy a two-course meal at the Centenary Suite here at Fir Park. With a glitz and glam dress code, the night will be hosted by Suzie McGuire.

To book your ticket, just email events@motherwellfc.co.uk or call 01698 333333.

It was a tale of missed chances and a last minute sting in the tail.

This is the Story of the Match from the weekend visit of St Johnstone.

Motherwell smashed the SWPL2 record points tally with a battling 3-2 victory over Glasgow Girls at Budhill Park.

The women of steel move on to 53 points after their 17th victory of the season, surpassing Forfar Farmington’s tally of 52 set in 2017 with one game remaining.

Donald Jennow made four changes to the starting team that defeated Spartans to earn a place in the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup final.

Katey Turner made her first start for the team, while Caitlin Russell, Natasha Roberts and Kaitlyn Canavan were all handed starting roles.

Turner marked her league debut in perfect fashion, when her low cross evaded everyone inside the area and found the bottom corner to give ‘Well the lead after just four minutes.

Despite taking an early lead, Motherwell were struggling to take a grip on the game and the hosts deservedly got back on terms with eight minutes of the first half remaining.

After a nice passing move, Lauren Evans fired low beyond Kendall Welsh to level the scores.

Things would get even better for the hosts just four minutes later, when Shannon Ashley Mulligan latched on to a through ball and lashed the ball high into the net.

It was the first time Motherwell had trailed a match at the interval in any competition this season, presenting Jennow and his coaching staff with a difficult half time team talk to stir their struggling side.

Whatever was said during the break clearly had an effect, as within 60 seconds of the restart, Motherwell were level.

Having scored in the first half, Turner this time turned provider and she picked out Sammy Hare who coolly finished.

Hayley Cunningham and Lauryn Reside had efforts blocked as the visitors looked to get ahead for the second time in the match. At the other end, Evans’ shot failed to trouble Welsh.

It looked like the game was heading for a draw before Motherwell were presented with the perfect opportunity to claim the win with five minutes remaining.

Turner’s run was brought to an end by a careless foul by Katie Hay and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Cunningham stepped up to take the resulting kick and despite the keeper getting a hand to it, she couldn’t keep the ball from nestling in the back of the net.

Evans came close with a free kick as Glasgow Girls looked for a response, but the Motherwell defence held firm to claim all three points on a day where the result was undoubtably better than the performance.

Motherwell finish their SWPL2 campaign next Sunday when they host St Johnstone, before taking on Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final one week later.

Motherwell lost a last-minute winner as St Johnstone took all three points in a 1-0 win at Fir Park.

Jason Kerr’s header in injury time consigned the Steelmen to defeat, as the game looked to be heading to a stalemate.

Peter Hartley, Andy Rose and Charles Dunne spoke after the 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone.

The Steelmen lost out in the final minute at the hands of the Saints, with Jason Kerr netting a late, late header.

Stephen Robinson has called on his side to “stand up and be counted”, after going down late to St Johnstone.

Motherwell created plenty chances but failed to convert, before being hit in the final minute to lose all three points.

It was another frustrating and disappointing afternoon for Motherwell as they looked be settling for another point after a hard fought draw with St Johnstone.

The return of Charles Dunne steadied the Fir Park defence, and the equally solid Saints rearguard meant the game felt like a no scoring draw.

But that changed in injury time when Jason Kerr headed home to give Saints three points and leave the Fir Park players and fans gutted.

The Steelmen had plenty of possession but created only a few chances, largely through David Turnbull, who was very composed and impressive on his first start of the season. Overall, though, both ‘keepers were well protected and had a very quiet afternoon.

Still chasing their first home league win of the season, Stephen Robinson made three changes. Dunne back from injury formed a solid back three, with Aaron Taylor-Sinclair playing at left wing back. Without the suspended Carl McHugh, Turnbull was rewarded for his influential performance in the Colts’ win over Sligo Rovers last week.

It took Taylor-Sinclair only five minutes to make his first contribution, a curling left foot cross which found Curtis Main between two defenders but he could only steer his header wide of goal.

Trevor Carson made the first save after 13 minutes, when Tony Watt got beyond Tom Aldred but his angled shot was comfortably blocked by the ‘Well ‘keeper at his near post.

A minute later Zander Clark stretched at his back post to touch a terrific curling effort from Main beyond his post, as Motherwell began to exert some pressure on the visitor’s goal.

The Saints’ ‘keeper was more fortunate in the 16th minute. Charged with the delivery of dead balls, Turnbull curled a long free kick to beyond the six yard box where Andy Rose powered a header which thumped off the crossbar.

A hefty challenge limited Taylor-Sinclair’s involvement to 22 minutes when he was replaced by Richard Tait.

For all their possession especially around the Saints’ penalty area, the ‘Well players were reluctant to shoot from distance until Turnbull teed up Alan Campbell, but his well struck shot from 22 yards flew just over the crossbar.

With both teams unable to create clear cut chances neither ‘keeper was really tested in the first half.

Then in injury time, Chris Cadden brilliantly cut in from the right but with a great chance to test Clark he sliced his shot wide of goal.

The Steelmen aimed to improve on that from the start of the second half and from Tait’s lay-off Campbell had another crack at goal, but his effort was blocked by a packed penalty area.

Three minutes into the half, ‘Well produced their best chance of the match.

Turnbull showed great determination to win the ball in the middle of the park and his lofted pass was perfect for Main.

But after taking a great first touch the former Portsmouth striker blasted his shot over the bar with Clark’s goal at his mercy.

Undaunted by that miss, Main tried his luck from the other side of the box but his low left foot effort took a deflection to carry the ball just beyond the post.

After an hour trying to get in behind the well organised Saints’ rearguard, Elliott Frear was then given 30 minutes to create some space on the left. This was shortly followed by ‘Well’s last substitution and attempt to produce a winner, when Danny Johnson came on for the tireless Main.

Keen to make an impact, Johnson turned on Tait’s pass but from 20 yards he pulled his left foot effort wide of goal.

There was scarcely any activity around the home goal until 10 minutes from time, when Chris Kane’s swerving shot was sneaking inside the pos,t until Carson at full stretch threw himself low to his left and palm the ball behind.

Saints sensed a winner might be on the cards and pushed forward forcing a series of corners.

From the last one in injury time, Liam Craig picked out Kerr in a packed six yard box and his header flashed past Carson for the winner.

‘Well produced one last attempt to take a point but from Tait’s cross, Aldred’s header was taken by Clark under his crossbar as Saints held on for three points.

Head coach Donald Jennow has strengthened his squad with the addition of two new players, with the prospect of another joining shortly.

The women of steel are in the final of the SSE Women’s Scottish Cup next month, but before then close their league campaign with games against Glasgow Girls and St Johnstone.

A win on Sunday at Budhill Park will see ‘Well move onto 54 points, a record haul for SWPL 2.

However, a number of injuries have left the squad thin and Jennow has taken the opportunity to add striker Katey Turner, as well as goalkeeper Autumn Farrell to his pool.

Turner has arrived from Hibs and actually made her debut last Sunday in the 3-1 semi final success over Spartans at Forthbank.

The 22-year-old forward has now enjoyed three separate spells with the Hibees, but has also turned out for Accies and Rangers following her youth days with Dunfermline.

Goalkeeper Farrell is another who has worked previously with Jennow at Glasgow City and another who has came out of a break from football to join up with ‘Well.

The 22-year-old came through the youth ranks at Celtic, before being snapped up by City back in 2014.

After a year with the squad, she spent a season on loan at Hearts during the 2015 campaign, but stepped out for work reasons. Farrell will compete with youngster Kendall Welsh for a spot between the sticks.

“We’ve been working with a bit of threadbare squad over the last few games, so it was important we helped out the current group by adding a few more faces,” Jennow said.

“I am really delighted Katey and Autumn have agreed to join us. They will add significant quality to the squad for our remaining games.

“I am also excited to see players who have been away from the game get back on the park. They all have quality and I am sure will be big assets for us between now and the finish.

“We have another forward who we hope to confirm over the weekend and announce on Monday.”

Motherwell host St Johnstone at Fir Park on Saturday, as they look to return to winning ways after time off for the international break.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Past encounters

The two sides faced on four occasions in the 2017/18 campaign, but this is their first encounter in 2018/19.

St Johnstone won two of the game last season, running out 4-1 winners at McDiarmid Park and also picking up a 5-1 victory at Fir Park in the weeks leading up to the Scottish Cup final.

Motherwell picked up a 2-0 win at home in February, while also picking up a 0-0 draw in Perth.

Ticket information

Motherwell fans can get their tickets before turning up at the Fir Park through our ticketing website.

Adult tickets start at just £20, concessions £16 and kids aged under 15 get into all stands for £3.

St Johnstone supporters will be situated in the Phil O’Donnell main stand and can pay at the gate.

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, the game is available via our streaming subscribers at tv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Pre-match

Our Cooper Bar is open from 11am in the Davie Cooper stand, offering food and drinks to supporters of both teams.

Team news

Liam Donnelly is an injury doubt with a groin strain sustained on international duty. Alex Rodriguez Gorrín is injured, while Carl McHugh is serving a one-match suspension following his red card against Livingston. Craig Tanner and Charles Dunne remain on the sidelines.