The U20s fought back to earn a 2-2 draw with Ross County but finished the match feeling they should have taken all three points.
Despite making an impressive start to the match, ‘Well found themselves two behind when Steven Saunders and Darren Maatsen both netted.
However, ‘Well roared back and Dylan Mackin scored twice in the second half to level things up and but for an exceptional goalkeeping performance from Antonio Reguero, the Steelmen would’ve won the match.
Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the side that lost to Dundee, Ross Stewart and Ben Hall dropping out, replaced by Max Currie and Ross MacLean.
And the Fir Parkers should have been ahead inside the opening sixty seconds when Mackin got on the end of a superb Jack McMillan cross, only to see his header brilliantly saved by Reguero at point-blank range. When the rebound fell for Cadden, the Spaniard was up like a flash to make the second save.
Incredibly, a minute later, and ‘Well past up another glorious opportunity to get ahead. It came from another delightful cross, this time Luke Watt, and Mackin was again on the end of it, but he steered his header a yard or so wide of target.
Even more incredible was that despite Motherwell’s hugely positive start to the match, completely against the run of play, County took the lead with their first attack.
A corner wasn’t properly cleared and when Maatsen hung up a cross towards the back post, Saunders got up above Morgyn Neill to head past Currie into the net.
Then, four minutes later, the Staggies doubled their advantage and it was a fluke from Maatsen.
The Dutchmen attempted to wriggle clear of his marker, McMillan, but could only screw a cross towards the back post. Unbelievably, it hit the frame of the goal and bounced into the net. The celebrations were understandably low-key from the former S.B.V. Excelsior forward.
The home side were stunned and set about the task of trying to get back into the game. They almost pulled a goal back when Mackin got on the end of a Craig McCall cross, but just as he pulled the trigger, right back Ross MacKillop got across in the nick of time to make the intervention.
County were buoyed by their lead and were content to hit on the counter as ‘Well threw everything forward. Both Maatsen and Steven Ross had shots from distance that flew over, but certainly nothing that would trouble Currie in the home goal.
At the other end, Reguero was again well placed to deny Steven Higgins after the front man hared in on goal following a McCall pass. Then, moments later, another Watt cross into the box flew over the head of Mackin but fell for Chris Cadden, but the midfielder couldn’t get a clean connection on his shot and it bobbled away from goal.
Motherwell continued to push and push for a goal, but did get a lucky escape when Kyle MacLeod went down inside the area from a Neill challenge. It looked like a strong claim on first inspection, but the match official, who was right up with play, was having none of it.
As the half finished, Steven Higgins again came close with a curling effort that went over, Thomas hit the wall with a free-kick and Cadden pulled a shot wide of target after Higgins had teed him up with a neat cut back.
It took the second half ten minutes to really get going when Watt fired a low shot that was deflected wide. From the corner, County countered at speed and were only denied a third goal by the strong hands of Currie, who pushed away the low shot from Maatsen.
It would prove a crucial save as with their next attack, ‘Well got the goal they so badly needed. McCall and Cadden combined in the middle of the park, before Thomas drove the attack forward. He slid it out wide to Higgins on the left flank and his first time low ball across the face of goal was gobbled up by Mackin at the back post, who drilled high into the net.
‘Well almost immediately went in search for a leveler and Mackin, MacLean, Thomas and Ferguson all passed up half chances to net.
Then, with seventeen minutes left, ‘Well thought they were level when Mackin was again denied by the brilliance of Reugero, who stopped his near post shot from point blank range.
Sadly, in the same attack, County defender Ben Frempah sustained a bad injury after an awkward fall and had to be taken to hospital. The best wishes of everyone at Motherwell FC are with him.
Johansson’s men continued to plug away though and eventually leveled with twelve minutes left on the clock. McCall won a free-kick on the edge, allowing Mackin to size it up. The big striker dully dispatched a cracker, leaving Reugero helpless.
Motherwell sensed blood and threw the kitchen sink at it, but were almost suckered at the other end when sub Russell Dingwall finished an excellent counter with a curling shot that forced Currie to tip over.
Then, deep into stoppage time, his opposite number was at it again, stopping brilliantly from Thomas whose goalbound looking effort was expertly turned over.
The home side would be forced to settle for a point in an entertaining affair at a cold Excelsior Stadium.
Motherwell U20s: Currie, Watt, McMillan, Ferguson, Neill, McCall, Cadden, Mackin, Higgins, Thomas, MacLean
Subs Not Used: Stewart, McNulty, Anderson, R. Leitch, Watters
