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Stephen Craigan is certain his Motherwell Under 20s side will bounce back from the disappointment of going out of the Scottish FA Youth Cup at the quarter final stage.

The young Steelmen went down 3-2 to Kilmarnock in controversial circumstances at the Excelsior Stadium, with both Barry Maguire and Liam Brown being sent off.

Manager Craigan was also sent to the stand but instead chose to focus on the performance after the match.

“The players are a little bit deflated,” he said. “It’s been a tough schedule over the past few weeks but we will pick them up.

“Young players are resilient and they will bounce back. It’s character building.

“I am just more disappointed that I felt the best team today didn’t win and go through.”

Motherwell twice came from behind in the match, with Shaun Bowers and Jake Hastie equalising before a late free kick settled things for the visitors.

“We generally feel we were the better team throughout the game,” Craigan added. “Naturally, that doesn’t mean you win a football match.

“We had to defend their three goals better. I felt the goals we gave up were quite cheap. In general play, I felt there was only one team going to win with the chances we created.

“It was almost quite similar to the St Johnstone. We felt if we had got ahead and got the first goal, we could have went on and won the game comfortably.

“The overriding feeling is of disappointment. Not for me, but for them. They put so much into the game and worked ever so hard.

“We lick our wounds and move on. We wish Kilmarnock all the best and we move on.”

A dominant Motherwell Under 20s slipped to a 3-2 defeat in the quarter final of the Scottish FA Youth Cup against Kilmarnock.

Shaun Bowers and Jake Hastie twice brought Stephen Craigan’s side level at the Excelsior Stadium, but the visitors struck late to progress to the last four of the competition Craigan’s side won in 2016.

Unfortunately, the ‘Well youngsters performance, and the fixture as a whole, was overshadowed by controversy as ‘Well went down to nine men in bewildering fashion.

However, it may have been a different story had the Under 20s taken their early chances.

A terrific ball towards the back post had keeper Jasmin Keranovic helplessly scrambling across goal, and both Jordan Armstrong and James Scott were queuing up to turn the ball home, only for the former to nod his effort off the cross bar.

Shea Gordon looked set to open the scoring when Jake Hastie’s stinging ball across goal just needed a touch to send it home, but it was just out of reach of the midfielder and he couldn’t get enough on it to beat Keranovic, who was helpless again in goal.

Killie got off the mark in the 16^th minute through Samizadeh, who spun away from Dylan King before rather fortunately crashing his effort in off the post.

It remained that way heading in to the break, but Bowers gambled well early in the second half to nod the Steelmen level.

A whipped cross towards the back post was missed by Keranovic and directed easily home by the right back.

Craigan’s side again dominated until Kilmarnock burst up the park five minutes later, and the whole match changed.

Samizadeh was again involved, working his way in to the box and tumbling to the deck despite the slightest contact from the hand of Barry Maguire.

The referee didn’t hesitate and immediately pointed to the spot. To compound matters, the official flashed a second yellow card at Maguire after the young defender expressed his disappointment with the decision.

After everything died down, Samizadeh stepped up and finished the spot kick off to put Kilmarnock back in front.

But the ten men of Motherwell didn’t lie down, instead did the opposite and took the game to the Ayrshire side.

They drew level through Hastie just five minutes after falling behind when Liam Brown’s delightful clipped ball found the forward who took a clever tough before firing past Keranovic.

In to the last ten minutes, the drama continued in Airdrie.

Kilmarnock won a soft free kick on the edge of the Motherwell box and, despite getting a strong hand to Jack Paterson’s thundered free kick, the ball spun up in to the air and trundled across the line to put the visitors back in front.

In the aftermath, Liam Brown was shown a second yellow for apparent dissent, forcing manager Stephen Craigan to ask for clarity from the referee as to why his midfielder had been sent off. This resulted in the Northern Irishman being sent a few yards away and in to the stands to watch the remainder of the cup clash, which ultimately ended in defeat and frustration for 2016’s winners.

Four Motherwell players are in contention to play for their countries over the March international break.

First potentially in action are Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell, who are with Scotland’s Under 21 side in Andorra.

Scot Gemmill’s side kick off at 5pm UK time in the UEFA European Under 21 Championship qualifier, with the dark blues pushing to catch the Netherlands in second spot.

On Saturday, Trevor Carson could land his long-awaited first international cap with Northern Ireland.

The ‘Well goalkeeper faces South Korea in Belfast, with the game kicking off at 2pm.

Then at 6pm on Saturday, Cédric Kipré is in contention to feature for Ivory Coast as they take on Togo in a friendly in France.

The defender, who has been outstanding in claret and amber this season, was a late call-up to the squad this week and could make his debut.

Motherwell international fixtures at a glance

Friday, 23 March: Andorra Under 21 v Scotland Under 21, 5pm.

Saturday, 24 March: Northern Ireland v South Korea, 2pm

Saturday, 24 March: Togo v Ivory Coast, 6pm.

Cédric Kipré has won his appeal against the red card shown to him against Celtic.

A claim of wrongful dismissal was accepted by a judicial panel at Hampden Park on Thursday, overturning the decision and cancelling a resulting two-game suspension.

A yellow card will instead be added to the player’s record for the incident.

Kipré will now be available for selection for Motherwell’s next match at home to Rangers on March 31.

The 21-year-old, who is currently on international duty with Ivory Coast, was initially ruled by referee Craig Thomson to have committed violent conduct in a clash with Scott Brown in Sunday’s 0-0 draw.

The test for violent conduct, according to the laws of the game, is that a player “must either use or attempt to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball.”

The judicial panel ruled that Kipré’s actions did not use excessive force or brutality against his opponent.

“We are pleased that the panel ruled in Cédric’s favour,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the decision. “It is a sensible outcome, something that all parties agree with.

“Cédric is now available for our upcoming games, which are hugely important as we try and reach the top six. We can now draw a line under things and move on.”

Cédric Kipré’s first reaction when he was shown a red card against Celtic was that he had let his team down.

Caught in an altercation with Scott Brown, the centre back was dismissed for violent conduct, a decision that Motherwell have appealed and which will be heard by a judicial panel on Thursday.

Once he had made his way to the dressing room at Fir Park, the youngster’s initial emotion was anger. Anger that he had made life more difficult for his team mates.

“When I got the red card I thought ‘I’ve let everyone down. Maybe they are going to lose now because 10 v 11 is harder,'” he said.

“But they worked really hard and played really well, so I can only be proud of them. All of them.

“I tried to win the ball. I then fell down and I wanted to stand up, but he pushed me away. My first reaction to try and push him as well but with my foot.”

Pending the outcome of the appeal, Kipré could potentially miss upcoming Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures with Rangers and Aberdeen, as the Steelmen push to land a top six spot.

Regardless of what happens, the 21-year-old says he will use the incident as part of his education and development.

“I don’t think I did a bad thing,” he added. “I just wanted to stand up and keep playing. But it happens.

“Next time I won’t react. That’s what people are telling me to do. I won’t react next time.

“I would miss two games. Two very important games. So hopefully we win it and I can be back for the games and help the team.”

Cédric Kipré has been called up to the Ivory Coast squad for their forthcoming matches against Togo and Moldova.

Although born in Paris, 21-year old Kipré qualifies for Les Éléphants through both his mother and father, who were born in the Ivory Coast.

The former PSG and Leicester defender has been sensational in claret and amber since his arrival in the summer, playing 40 matches in Scotland to date.

Kipré will join the likes of Manchester United’s Eric Bailly, Serge Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie in Kamara Ibrahim’s squad.

A late addition to the squad, the centre back is also in contention for an appearance with the squad’s Under 23s, who are taking part in the same training camp in France and will play games against Togo and club side Beauvais.

Speaking of his first call-up to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations champions, Kipré said: “Obviously I am very proud.

“I heard a few months ago of the possibility. Then a few days ago, I met Kolo Toure and he told me he would call me soon, and then he called me yesterday.

“I feel I’ve made my parents proud. My mum called me last night and was really, really happy. I will play for Ivory Coast for my parents because both of them are from there, so obviously they are very proud.

“Last year I wasn’t playing professional football. This year, I am playing every game, so it is a bit of a new world for me.”

Tickets for Motherwell’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi final with Aberdeen will go on sale on Monday, March 26.

Season ticket holders and Well Society members will be entitled to purchase first on an exclusive basis. Each individual can buy up to five tickets each.

The ticket office and Chapman office at Fir Park will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm for ticket sales. It will also be open from 10am until kick off, and for one hour after, at the match with Rangers on Saturday, March 31.

A public sale will start on Monday, April 2. The ticket office will be open on this day from 9am to 1pm. It will be open from 9am to 5pm the rest of the week and will also be open until kick off ahead of the match with Aberdeen on Tuesday, April 3.

The match at Hampden Park will be played on Saturday, April 14. Kick off is at 12.15pm.

Ticket information for the match is as follows:

William Hill South Stand and North Stand

£30 Adult / £15 Concessions

East Stand

£20 Adult / £10 Concessions

Concessions are regarded as those aged under 16 and those aged 65 and over.

Additional information

Telephone bookings will be taken. A £1 admin charge will be applied per telephone booking.

Delivery is available for any fan who cannot collect from us and who is not local. Tickets will be sent recorded delivery but the decision to have tickets posted is at the supporter’s risk and reprints will not be available. A £2.50 admin/postage charge will be added to each ticket, capped at £10.

Our signing section will be in areas F2 and F3 in the east stand.

Any fan requiring ambulant or wheelchair tickets should contact Brian Davidson on 07428225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com. .

Getting to Hampden

The club are operating a bus from the Cooper Bar on the day of the game. The bar will be open before departure for food and drink.

The bus, which will take supporters to and from Hampden Park, will cost £8. Supporters can buy by calling 01698 333333 or visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Semi final hospitality

Come and enjoy the day in style with our pre and post-match hospitality here at Fir Park.

For just £80, you can get:

• Your match ticket
• Hot breakfast roll
• Match programme
• Official bus to and from Hampden Park
• Pay bar facility at Fir Park
• Hot buffet served at Fir Park on your return

You can buy online or call to book on 01698 333333.

Motherwell’s women’s team have had a strong start to their SWPL2 season and you can now support the team by sponsoring your favourite player.

For just £175, you can sponsor the home shirt of your chosen player for the 2018 campaign.

This opportunity is perfect for both businesses and individuals, or as a special gift for the Motherwell fan in your life.

Included in the sponsorship package is:

– Your name next to your chosen player on their player profile on the Motherwell official website

– A thank you from your sponsored player on social media or from the team account

– A signed photograph of your sponsored player

– An invitation to attend the team’s awards night at the end of the season at Fir Park

– Your player’s signed shirt at the end of the season

– A 10% discount on all full hospitality packages at Motherwell, excluding Celtic and Rangers matches

You can buy online or you can call Graham Carbis on 01698 338006, or email graham.carbis@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Extended highlights from Kelty as the Under 20s lose 1-0 away to St Johnstone in the Development league.

Stephen Craigan had mixed emotions after his side slipped to a narrow defeat against St Johnstone in the Development League.

A largely positive performance was marred by a lack of cutting edge as the Under 20s couldn’t find the back of the net at New Central Park.

And for the Northern Irishman, there were positives to take from the first half, which was followed by a disappointing second.

[pullquote]It was largely down to the last thing we did with the ball. Whether that be our final pass, our final touch or our final decision at the top end of the pitch.[/pullquote]

“There were lots of spells where we dominated the game, especially in the first half,” Craigan said. “I thought we moved the ball well and we got in behind them quite a lot of times.

He added: “When you’re on top in games you want to put it to bed or get one or two ahead and I felt out first half performance deserved it.

“But I’m disappointed with the second half because St Johnstone really only had that one chance and they took it.”