Steven Hammell’s men slumped to a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Hibernian despite some determined play and a fighting performance until the final whistle.
The Fir Park men were largely responsible for their own downfall with some dreadful defending contributing to Kevin Nisbet’s hat-trick. At two down Stuart McKinstry’s goal gave some hope of a fight back before Nisbet’s well taken third tied up the points.
To their credit the Steelmen kept going until end and Ross Tierney’s goal in added time gave them renewed hope until the final whistle. Steven Hammell might also rightly lament his side’s lack of luck at key times when headed efforts from Ricki Lamie and Sondre Solholm struck the crossbar.
With both teams desperately seeking a win to ease their respective concerns an open attacking game was in prospect for the fans on a sunny Sunday. Ultimately although Motherwell showed plenty of fight the Easter Road men made the most of their chances to ease the pressure on manager Lee Johnson.
Motherwell hoping to mark their first home appearance of the new year with a long overdue three points, perhaps looking for a change in fortune, began the first half facing the Davie Cooper stand.
However, in the initial stages it was Hibs who took the play towards Liam Kelly’s goal.
In the 13th minute an inviting cross from Aidan McGeady allowed Kyle Magennis to nod the ball towards goal but it gave the ‘Well ‘keeper his first comfortable save of the afternoon.
The Fir Park defenders failed to learn from that and three minutes later the Edinburgh side were ahead.
This time McGeady’s cross found Nisbet 12 yards out unmarked and with plenty of time to take a touch before slamming the ball low into Kelly’s left-hand corner.
Motherwell’s protests that Kevin van Veen had been fouled by Rocky Bushiri in the build up gained little sympathy from referee David Munro or John Beaton in front of the VAR monitor.
Another VAR check was required five minutes later when Elie Youan fired the ball off Sean Goss’ foot the ball rising to strike him on the arm. Thankfully common sense prevailed as the penalty claims were waved aside.
That gave the visitors some added confidence as the ‘Well defenders struggled to contain the Hibs players as they swarmed about the home box.
After 27 minutes, though, the pressure turned to the other box where David Marshall’s goal was fortunate to survive a brief onslaught.
Matt Penney played the ball into a packed penalty area where Van Veen teed up Blair Spittal. Although his effort was blocked the ball rebounded to the edge of the box. Callum Slattery’s low shot sneaked through a ruck of legs and seemed destined to nestle in the corner of Marshall’s goal until the ex-Scotland ‘keeper threw himself across to his left and push the ball round the post.
From the resultant corner the ball was only cleared wide to the left. Van Veen sent it back across the six-yard box where Ricki Lamie rose the highest only to head the ball against the crossbar this time with Marshall well beaten.
After a shaky opening to the game the Steelmen ended the half exerting some pressure on a Hibs defence which also lacked confidence.
Conor Shields should have done better when Goss picked him out beyond the six-yard area. But with Vann Veen and Dean Cornelius waiting in support the former Queen of the South striker headed the ball aimlessly towards the ‘keeper.
Three minutes from the break a powerful strike from Goss hammered into Ryan Porteous and although ‘Well claimed for a penalty once again the handball was considered unintentional.
Hoping to maintain their play towards the visitor’s goal Motherwell returned for the second half with Stuart McKinstry replacing Shields.
However, a positive and promising start was undone eight minutes into the half when another defensive lapse gifted Hibs a second goal.
A long ball downfield from Porteous posed little threat until Penny mistimed his challenge. That allowed Youan to race towards the byeline before rolling the ball across the six-yard box and provide Nisbet with a simple tap-in for his second goal of the game.
That should have been a hammer blow for the home side but instead the Steelmen decided to make a fight of it.
Already proving a handful on the left wing, McKinstry’s inswinging cross was left by Porteous forcing his ‘keeper into a speedy reaction to smother the ball on his goal line.
The on-loan Leeds United youngster wasn’t to be denied for long though and in the 59th minute he gave the Fir Parker’s the chance of a fightback. Latching onto Solholm’s thorough ball, McKinstry kept his cool dragging the ball away from Marshall before slotting home his finish.
A glut of chances appeared at both ends, and a weak header from Nisbet, when he should have claimed his hat-trick, kept ‘Well’s hopes alive.
The next headed attempt on goal came after 69 minutes and once again Motherwell were out of luck as Solholm’s effort bounced off the top of the crossbar.
With just under 20 minutes remaining Hibs decided to strengthen their backline bringing on the experienced Paul Hanlon.
Before he got a touch, though, Nisbet had wrapped up the points and his hat-trick. Josh Campbell swept in a cross from the right and Nisbet stepped in front of Lamie to fire the ball high past Kelly from 12 yards for a fine goal.
Ross Tierney and Max Johnston, after his successful loan at Cove Rangers, were give the last 10 minutes to make an impact.
And the Irishman made the most of his limited appearance. At the start of added on time Van Veen’s flick fell for Tierney who lashed the ball past Marshall and set-up a grandstand finish.
Two minutes later a dramatic comeback looked on the cards as Johnston powered his way into the box only to watch his intended cut back for the waiting Van Veen deflected back to his ‘keeper by Bushiri as Hibs held out for the narrowest of wins.
