A last-minute goal from Martyn Corrigan gave Motherwell victory over St Johnstone at Fir Park.

Saints had taken the lead early in the second half from debut boy Craig Russell only to see Ged Brannan equalise with a 75th minute penalty.

And just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, Corrigan picked up the ball at the edge of the box and hammered it through a ruck of players into the back of the net to take the Lanarkshire side closer to a European spot.

The visitors raced straight into attack from the kick-off and John O'Neil worked a nice position in the box but his cutback was weakly headed towards goal by John Paul McBride and Motherwell keeper Stephen Woods gathered comfortably.

Thirty seconds later McBride had another chance, trying his luck with a lob from 20 yards which floated just wide.

But the home side settled and carved out a chance for themselves.

A Sasa Curcic free-kick wide on the left was met by the head of Don Goodman but the Motherwell striker's effort went well over the bar.

At the other end, Russell, on loan from Manchester City, found Graeme Jones in the box but the Saints striker's effort was blocked by Well defender Greg Strong.

The crowd were enjoying the open attacking football who still entertained European hopes for next season.

Curcic came close with a free-kick from 25 yards, the ball beating the wall but going narrowly beyond Saints keeper Stephen Robertson's right-hand post.

Minutes later Corrigan drove a brilliant ball across the visitors six-yard box only to find there were no takers.

Derek Adams should have scored for Motherwell in the 25th minute when he connected with the ball coming out of the air with a shot from eight yards went agonisingly wide of Robertson's left-hand post.

Just before the break a Goodman header from 10 yards had Robertson diving to his right to pull off a good save.

St Johnstone made a sensational start to the second half, taking the lead within 30 seconds.

Russell latched on to a Jones flick, held off Strong and drove the ball low beyond Woods from 12 yards.

The home side were clearly shocked and battled their way back into the game but the Saints defence was holding firm and they still looked dangerous on the break.

Just as the fans were getting on the home side's back they had a piece of good fortune, Saints O'Neil handled the ball after Robertson had fumbled substitute Kevin Twaddle's cross and the referee pointed to the spot.

Brannan stepped up to blast the ball high into the net giving Robertson no chance.

A minute later Jones' frustration boiled over and he was red-carded for a foul on Lee McCulloch.

With Saints down to 10 men Motherwell were looking stronger and went after the winner.

Five minutes from the end Brannan could have clinched it but somehow managed to put the ball over the bar from 10 yards.

And just when the game looked like ending in stalemate Motherwell grabbed the winner.

Corrigan picked up the ball with the edge of the box and drove a low shot past Robertson into the corner of the net.

Teams:

Motherwell: Woods, Corrigan, Brannan, Strong, McMillan, Valakari, Adams (Nicholas 65), Curcic (McGowan 65), J. Davies (Harvey 65), Goodman, McCulloch.

Subs Not Used: Twaddle, Brown.

Booked: J. Davies.

Goals: Brannan 76 pen, Corrigan 89.

St Johnstone: Robertson, Griffin, Weir, Dods, McAnespie, O'Neil, Kane, McBride (Millar 78), O'Halloran, Jones,Russell (McMahon 61).

Subs Not Used: Connolly, Gow, Frail.

Sent Off: Jones (76).

Booked: O'Neil, Weir.

Goals: Russell 46.

Att: 5,900

Ref: George Simpson (Scotland).