A debatable penalty and two stunning saves from Andy Goram handed Motherwell
all three points against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Ged Brannan put away a spot kick in the 53rd minute which many felt should not
have been given after Jim Lauchlan's innocuous looking push on Derek Adams.
It is a result which leaves Killie's European aspirations somewhat in limbo,
and Motherwell virtually assured of safety from relegation and their fourteenth
successive year in the top flight.
It was an intriguing contest with both teams incorporating various assorted
big names of British football who all seemed out to prove that they were not yet
ready to be put out to grass.
There is no reason to suggest that Killie, for so long seemingly certainties
for a UEFA Cup place, will not in good time secure their third successive season
of European qualification.
However, they will need to improve dramatically on today's showing if they are
to make any inroads in Europe, having gone out disappointingly to modest
opposition in the last two seasons.
Motherwell could have been forgiven for being disconsolate after last week's
cuffing by Hearts but instead they gave as good as they got in the opening
exchanges.
Although Killie quickly forced two corners, 'Well made the better start and
Pat Nevin had a goal chalked off on two minutes for offside.
But Killie carved out the best early opening, with Kevin McGowan's speculative
long-range free kick flashing wide.
Motherwell however looked good coming forward, but seemed desperately short of
ideas once they reached Killie's penalty box.
The game only really sprang to life midway through the first half when Killie
were awarded a free kick. John Henry was felled by Mark Gower and from Ian
Durrant's pinpoint ball into the box Ally McCoist headed goalwards.
Goram brought the visiting fans to their feet though, with a wonderful piece
of goal keeping turning his former team mate's header away for a corner.
Motherwell then responded with a decent chance of their own, Derek Adams
shooting wide with keeper Gordon Marshall stranded.
Killie were disheartened to lose McCoist as half time approached. He pulled a
muscle and had to be replaced by Ally Mitchell.
Kilmarnock as the hosts, began to stamp their authority on the match but it
was the turn of Gordon Marshall to make a great save.
A corner from the left resulted in a melee in the Killie penalty area and the
ball dropped temptingly towards John Spencer.
The former Chelsea forward stuck out a leg, but Marshall instinctively blocked
the goal bound effort.
After the break, Pat Nevin went on an exciting run through the heart of
Killie's defence before cutting the ball back for Don Goodman, who should have
scored, but found the side netting.
In response, Killie's Gary Holt had two efforts - a shot that flashed well
wide and a header into Goram's arms.
The deadlock was finally broken with a highly debatable penalty on 53 minutes
when Lauchlan seemed to pull down Derek Adams, at least in the eyes of the
referee if not in the majority of the 8,500 fans inside Rugby Park.
Brannan coolly slotted home from the spot and wheeled away to celebrate with
the visiting fans.
Goram pulled off another unbelievable save towards the end of the game as
Killie pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Motherwell attempted to close ranks but the ball squirmed free for Ally
Mitchell who found himself clean through on goal.
He blasted the ball as hard as he could from six yards out but Goram deflected
it away for a corner.
It was a superb stop which was well worthy of the applause which rang all
round the stadium.
Teams:
Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, McGowne, Henry, Holt,
Wright (Burke 73), Durrant, McCoist (Mitchell 43),
Vareille (McCutcheon 73), Baker, Lauchlan.
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Mahood.
Booked: Durrant.
Motherwell: Goram, McMillan, McGowan, Brannan,
Gower (Nicholas 82), Matthaei, Craigen, Nevin (Miller 70),
Adams, Spencer, Goodman.
Subs Not Used: Thomas, Ramsey, Bannister.
Booked: Matthaei, McMillan.
Goals: Brannan 53 pen.
Att: 8,867
Ref: K Toner (Glasgow).
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