Motherwell exited the Scottish Youth Cup at the second round stage with a defeat at Queen’s Park on Friday.
Having been under severe early pressure, Motherwell found themselves a goal behind with 20 minutes on the clock.
A cross from the left stood up perfectly to meet the head of Mahon, who powered his header past goalkeeper Wallace.
Ten minutes later, it was two. Good play through the middle presented McCormick with the chance to shoot from 15 yards, and he placed his shot into the bottom-left corner of the net.
Motherwell grew back into it. Rice’s perfectly-placed low free-kick from 25 yards was just turned around the post by the home ‘keeper towards the end of the half.
‘Well then came out flying at the start of the second half and were back in it within two minutes.
Wilson’s drive down the left saw him fire in a low cross, which Adam was on hand to tap home at the back post after a great late run.
The pressure continued. MacDonald’s cross from the left met the head of Adam at the front post, but the forward would be denied an instant second as he headed wide.
A vastly improved ‘Well side had plenty in attack on the pitch as they pushed for an equaliser but they were thanking their goalkeeper for keeping them in with a chance with 15 minutes to go.
With the ball played to a Queen’s man 10 yards out, a certain goal was denied by the acrobatics of Wallace to turn the ball away, with the rebound then being fired wide.
Wallace was again at the rescue as the game raced towards the end, pulling off a great save one-on-one before Motherwell cranked the pressure back up.
It looked like the leveller came with three minutes to go. Rice’s brilliant ball into the area was matched by the run of Gould, but he headed wide from close range and with it, the young Steelmen’s game would end in defeat.
Motherwell: Wallace, Hunter, Gould, Dunnachie, Rice, Wilson, Miller, Spiers (Kasongo 65), MacDonald (Beattie 75), Adam, Ferrie (Ross 22).
Subs not used: Bogan, Boyd.