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Extended highlights from Motherwell Under 20s 2-0 defeat to Dundee United in the Development League. 

Stephen Craigan says his side lacked a cutting edge as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Dundee United Under 20s. 

The Northern Irishman, who believed the better side on the day won, reflected on the 90 minutes at Forthbank Stadium.

Speaking at full time, Craigan praised Dundee United and admitted his side weren’t at their best over the course of the game.

“I think Dundee United probably deserved to win the game,” the Northern Irishman said.

“They showed more desire than us and I think their side was a bit younger than ours, so credit to them.

[pullquote]Overall, it was a bit frustrating yes, but hands up, I think the best team won.[/pullquote]

“I think their back three dealt with our front two, whichever pairing we went with, and their front two caused our back three all sorts of problems.

“But I always try to take the positives from the game and one of those is the fact that Shea Gordon has come back from injury.

Motherwell Under 20s slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Dundee United in the Development League on Thursday afternoon.

Stephen Craigan’s side played their second game of the week, after their 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Monday evening.

But a below par showing from the youngsters resulted in a loss against bottom-placed United.

Craigan made five changes to his side from their victory at the start of the week, bringing PJ Morrison, Dylan King, Luke Watt and Jamie Semple in to the starting 11, as well as introducing Shea Gordon back in to the team after a lengthy spell out injured.

The midfielder nearly made his mark with a decent effort from the edge of the area in the 11th minute, but his curled effort flew narrowly past the post.

The visitors took the lead after 32 minutes when Declan Glass fired beyond Morrison from the edge of the area, spinning neatly and dispatching confidently to open the scoring.

Eight minutes later, United were awarded a penalty, and it was an easy decision for the referee.

Kieran Inglis burst in to the box before Krones bundled him to the deck. From the spot, Idris Kadded made it two.

Craigan introduced Adam Livingstone at half time and the youngster’s delivery from set pieces proved a threat throughout the second 45.

A swirling corner from Livingstone’s left foot caused all sorts of problems for Josh Donaldson in the United goal, but the young keeper managed to punch clear.

James Scott should have halved the deficit with just seven minutes left on the clock when Jordan Armstrong’s inviting cross looked set to be headed home. But Donaldson did well to smother the danger.

Motherwell’s Under 20s are back in league action on Thursday afternoon when they host Dundee United.

The game at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling kicks off at 2pm.

Stephen Craigan’s side are catching up their games in hand as they chase down Hibernian at the top of the SPFL Development League.

With two games in hand over the Edinburgh side and nine games to go, the young Steelmen are currently 10 points adrift and need to win to maintain aspirations of challenging at the top.

Extended highlights from Motherwell under-20s 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock in the Development League. 

Stephen Craigan felt his side’s fast start against Kilmarnock set them up for their 2-0 victory.

James Scott’s third minute opener was followed up by a near Deimantas Petravičius finish before the half hour mark.

And the Northern Irishman said that his side could then go on to play their way for the remainder of the game.

“We’re pleased with the win,” Craigan said. “But it felt as though it looked like we hadn’t played in a couple of weeks, a few haven’t played in even longer than that.

“The longer the game went on, we looked a bit fatigued, but we started the game well which we’re pleased with.

“Getting the early goal definitely settles you down quite a bit, which allowed us to not be distracted from what we’re trying to do.”

Motherwell Under 20s picked up a comfortable three points with a 2-0 win over Kilmarnock. 

The youngsters controlled their Development League clash for the majority of the 90 minutes, and notched all three points thanks to well taken goals from James Scott and Deimantas Petravičius.

It was a perfect start for the young Steelmen at Forthbank Stadium, who found themselves a goal ahead after just three minutes. 

A lovely through ball from Liam Brown released James Scott, who did well to stay onside and coolly dispatch beyond Jasmin Koranovic in the Killie goal. 

Just over ten minutes later, George Newell released himself down the right flank by cleverly flicking a header beyond his marker and bearing down on the box. His smart cut-back nearly found the arriving Jake Hastie, but it was well cut out by Aiden Wilson. 

Just before the half hour mark, ‘Well doubled their advantage. 

The pace of Petravičius proved too hard to handle for Kilmarnock, and, bursting through on goal, the winger made no mistake from inside the area to give Stephen Craigan’s side a two goal advantage. 

That deficit remained as the referee blew for half time, but as the two sides got back underway for the second half, ‘Well didn’t let their grip of the game slacken.

A decent ball in to the box fell kindly for Newell, but a crucial touch by defender Thomas Dempsie turned the danger behind at the expense of a corner. From the set piece, the danger was only cleared as far as Ross MacLean, who sent his effort narrowly over the crossbar. 

Hastie should have made it three when a pinpoint, cross-field ball from Bowers sent the winger in on goal. But, opting for power, he pulled his effort wide of the far post. 

The visitors rarely tested Rohan Ferguson between the sticks, but when he was called in to action he didn’t disappoint. An effort from just a couple of yards was matched by the young stopper, who sprung across goal to deny the Killie striker from turning the ball home. 

Immediately down the other end, ‘Well went close through Scott, who twisted and turned to make a yard for himself, but slotted the ball wide of the post. 

The youngsters held on to their clean sheet in a controlled manner for the remainder of the game, and picked up a rather professional three points. 

Stephen Craigan’s Motherwell Under 20s side are back in league action on Monday night as they host Kilmarnock.

The match at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling kicks off at 6pm. Entry is free.

A win against Killie will put the young Steelmen fourth in the SPFL Development League ahead of Hearts.

Alfredo Agyeman scored the decisive goal win Motherwell defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 at Rugby Park earlier in the season.

Jamie Semple has been selected again to represent Scotland at Under 17 level.

The young forward has made five appearances for his country so far and will join with the squad for their forthcoming UEFA Under 17 European Championship Elite Round matches.

Scotland will kick off their group against Greece on March 21, followed by fixtures against Norway three days later and then Germany on March 27.

The eight group winners in the final qualifying round, as well as the seven runners-up with the best record, will reach the finals in May.

Watch the highlights as Motherwell Under 20s win 3-2 against Hamilton Academical Under 20s at the Excelsior Stadium.