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There’s SPFL Reserve Cup action on Monday as Motherwell host Dundee.

Kick-off at Broadwood Stadium is at 2pm.

Maurice Ross’ side can’t progress as group winners but still have a chance of making the semi-finals as the best runners-up of the three pools.

Victory against the Dark Blues will secure progression, with no other group permutations having a bearing if the young Steelmen get the win.

Young defender David Devine has joined Queen of the South on loan for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.

The promising academy graduate heads to the Ladbrokes Championship side for first team experience in the second half of the campaign.

Devine, 18, made his Motherwell debut against Livingston in May 2019 and is highly thought of at Fir Park. We wish him well and look forward to monitoring his progress.

Motherwell resumed SPFL Reserve League action on Monday with a 2-1 home win over Ross County.

Christian Ilic’s first half double was enough to make the difference at Broadwood, with a host of first team squad members getting playing time.

Ilic was joined by Trevor Carson, Casper Sloth and Mikael Ndjoli in the starting team, along with Ross MacIver and Jamie Semple.

The Croatian opened the scoring after 21 minutes, sending a curling left-footed effort into the top corner of the net via the crossbar.

He doubled the advantage just before the break. Carson’s kick fell to MacIver, who squared for Ilic to slot home.

Ross County got a goal back on the hour mark, despite calls for a foul, but the Steelmen held on to take all three points.

Next up for Maurice Ross’ side is an SPFL Reserve League Cup match with Dundee on Monday, 27 January. Kick-off at Broadwood is at 2pm.

Motherwell: Carson, Brown, Hussain, Devine, Johnston, Sloth, Cornelius, Semple, MacIver, Ilic, Ndjoli.

The reserves return to action on Monday, as Ross County visit Broadwood Stadium.

Maurice Ross’ side play host in the first SPFL Reserve League match after the winter break. Kick-off in Cumbernauld is at 2pm.

Motherwell surrendered a one-goal lead go to down 3-1 to St Mirren in the SPFL Reserve League on Monday.

St Mirren went close first in the match with nine minutes played. Djorkaeff hit a swerving shot from distance, which Hemfrey had to palm over the bar for a corner.

After a shout for a penalty for a trip on Devine was turned down, Sam Muir had Motherwell’s first effort, his shot from 18 yards going over the bar.

After Starrs and Hutchison went close, Motherwell took the lead on 18 minutes. A quick free-kick from Dean Cornelius set Starrs down the right, with his cross not cleared by the home defence and allowing Robertson to slide home from close range.

Twenty minutes later, it was 1-1. Well were caught short playing out from the back, with Josh Jack intercepting Robbie Hemfrey’s pass and having the simplest of tasks to roll home from 15 yards.

Starrs could have put Motherwell back in the lead just before the break, being sent in on goal after a terrific Cornelius through ball. But his first touch was a little heavy, allowing the goalkeeper to get off his line to make the save.

Errors would compound matters in the second half. A coming together between Devine and Hussain allowed Djorkaeff the chance to put a pinpoint cross into the box midway through the second half, which Lewis Jamieson did not pass up, putting St Mirren 2-1 ahead.

Then, at the death, another defensive mistake afforded Jack the chance to fire home his second of the game and complete a comeback victory for the Saints.

Motherwell: Hemfrey, Brown, Devine, Hussain, Muir, Kettings, Cornelius, Hutchison, MacIver, Robertson, Starrs.

Subs: Connolly, Williamson, McSwegan.

The final SPFL Reserve League match of 2019 takes place on Monday afternoon, as Motherwell travel to St Mirren.

Maurice Ross’ side are in action at the Ralston Training Complex in Paisley. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Motherwell reserves were held to a 1-1 draw, after visitors Hearts levelled the scoring with virtually the last kick of the ball.

Maurice Ross’ side had got themselves ahead courtesy of yet another goal from Ross MacIver. But despite several opportunities to extend that lead further, it remained at 1-0.

The sting in the tail would arrive in stoppage time, when Hearts forward Connor Smith leveled to earn his side a share of the spoils.

The Steelmen called upon the services of experienced duo Trevor Carson and Richard Tait for the match, with Barry Maguire, Jamie Semple, Christy Manzinga, David Devine and Dean Cornelius all able to call on first-team experience.

Hearts had the first opportunity of the half when Sean Ward scooped an effort over the bar after Leeroy Makovora had got himself in between Devine and Carson to create the chance.

Motherwell’s reply came just two minutes later in the form of Maguire. Semple’s diagonal pass had MacIver in space on the right flank. His squad pass was met by the onrushing Scotland Under 21 international, but he whipped a shot just inches over the crossbar.

The hosts were looking the more likely and Cole Starrs had the first effort on target shortly before the half hour mark. Latching onto a rebound, the young striker’s shot was comfortable stopped by Kevin Silva at his near post.

Hearts had their first effort on target six minutes later, Smith creating space for himself on the edge with a nice turn, but his low shot was well saved by Carson on the stretch.

It was end-to-end as the half-time interval approached. Semple had a low effort comfortably stopped by Silva after good work by Manzinga deep in opposition territory. At the other end, Carson was again on hand to save a long-range effort from Cameron Logan, beating away the shot at the expense of a corner.

The last effort of the half would fall to MacIver, who was again the recipient of an excellent cross field pass, this time from Maguire. The former Ross County man cut inside onto his left foot, but dragged a low shot wide.

It took 13 minutes for the second half to spark to life and only an excellent save by Silva kept the scores level.

Hearts had failed to deal with a corner and when Maguire hung up a cross to the back post, Devine’s header looked goalbound but the young American who turned it around. Manzinga headed the resulting Semple corner over the bar.

‘Well were getting close and closer and MacIver came within inches of putting his side ahead, headering a Semple cross off the top of the bar.

However, he wouldn’t be denied three minutes later. Tait found himself advanced on the right before hanging a neat cross towards the back post. Starrs header was bundled off the line, but MacIver was on hand to smash it home from close range.

‘Well could and should have extended that lead further. MacIver perhaps could and should have added to his tally, one chance flashing a shot wide of target, the next a free header straight at Silva.

Hearts weathered the storm and were getting back into the match, Carson having to save well from both Smith and substitute Charleston-King before eventually being beaten in stoppage time.

Smith collected a loose ball 25 yards from goal, danced past a couple of challenges before drilling the ball low and hard past Carson into the far corner to secure a point for the young Jambos.

Motherwell: Carson. Tait (MacDonald), Brown, Hussain, Devine, Maguire, MacIver, Cornelius (Hutchison), Manzinga, Starrs (Robertson), Semple

Not Used: Hemfrey, Hale, Kettings, Williamson

The reserves are in action in the SPFL Reserve League against Hearts on Tuesday.

Maurice Ross’ side play host at Broadwood Stadium. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Dean Cornelius has signed a new contract with Motherwell FC until the summer of 2021.

The youth academy graduate, who made his first team debut in May, has extended his deal for another season.

“Dean has a real chance to push on and fight for a first team place in the coming years,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“We’ll continue to work hard with him every day to develop him as a player.”

Cornelius, 18, played 12 minutes in the final game of the 2018/19 season against Livingston at Fir Park, marking his first appearance for the club.

“It means everything to me to play for Motherwell,” he said on signing the new deal. “It was a big moment to make my debut last year and I’m keen to keep working for more opportunities.

“I’m continuing to learn every single day with the coaching staff at the club and I’m committed to giving myself the chance to break through to the first team.”

Motherwell took a point in a 1-1 draw at Celtic in the SPFL Reserve League Cup on Monday afternoon.

Ross MacIver’s opener in the match was cancelled out by Jonathan Afolabi, before the hosts went on to claim a bonus point in the penalty shootout.

It was another youthful Motherwell side, with first team experience coming from youngsters Jamie Semple, Dean Cornelius and David Devine.

Four minutes in, the Steelmen had the lead. A short back pass and failure to clear by Hughes presented MacIver with his opportunity to slot the ball home.

On the half hour mark, Celtic were level. Combination play between Dembele and Afolabi then saw the latter chip Morrison from an angle.

Both sides would have chances in the second period, but the game would finish level and with an opportunity to take a crucial bonus point in the group.

Celtic would prevail 4-2, securing top spot and progression to the semi-finals. Motherwell have a game left to try and finish as the best runner-up from the three groups, taking on Dundee at home on 27 January.

Motherwell: Morrison, Brown, Hussain, Devine, Muir, Semple, Cornelius, Hale, Hutchison, MacIver, Starrs.

Subs: Hemfrey, Robertson, Williamson, McDonald.