Aberdeen's hopes of a top-three finish in the Bank of Scotland Premier League
took a battering when they crashed 3-1 at home to Motherwell.
A Kevin McBride penalty and goals from Jim Hamilton and Scott McDonald all but
secured Motherwell's place in the top half of the table before the league split
later this month.
The Dons hit back when Markus Heikkinen stabbed home the rebound from a saved
Darren Mackie spot-kick but they could not find the goals to earn a draw.
Aberdeen headed into this game knowing that three points would boost their
chances of making a push for the coveted third place behind the Old Firm this
season - and the promise of a place in the UEFA Cup which comes with it.
But Motherwell still had plenty to play for and were desperate to beat
Inverness and Kilmarnock to a place in the top six.
Aberdeen had the best of the chances early on but the feeling grew that it was
not going to be Mackie's day.
He had the first real chance of the game after meeting a superb Kevin
McNaughton cross but failed to connect properly and the danger was easily
cleared by Stephen Craigan.
Mackie then failed to make amends for his earlier opportunity when he missed
the ball completely in front of goal and striking duties were left to Noel
Whelan instead. The outcome was a wasted effort well over the crossbar.
Despite Aberdeen's early pressure, it was Motherwell who took the lead after
21 minutes when McDonald was tripped in the box by Phil McGuire and McBride made
no mistake from the penalty spot.
Hamilton doubled the lead in sensational style 10 minutes later when he
audaciously lobbed goalkeeper Ryan Esson from 23 yards. Esson managed to get a
hand to the effort but couldn't prevent the ball finding the top corner.
Aberdeen were back in the game after 36 minutes when Mackie launched himself
into the box after being fouled by Craigan.
He stepped up for the somewhat dubious spot-kick but his luck was out again
when goalkeeper Gordon Marshall turned the shot onto the post - though Heikkinen
was on hand to ram home the rebound from close range.
Both teams made a change during the interval. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood
swapped Richie Byrne for Lubomir Blaha while Motherwell's Brian Kerr - who
suffered knee ligament damage in a pre-season friendly - was given his first
outing this season when he replaced Scott Leitch.
The Pittodrie side failed to take advantage of a great opportunity to draw
level when Michael Hart picked out Whelan at the near post but he missed the
ball completely four yards out.
Whelan came close again seconds later when he met Chris Clark's corner only to
watch in agony as his header was scooped off the line by McBride.
McDonald had looked busy in and around the area and he managed to add his name
to the scoresheet after 71 minutes.
He beat McNaughton to a loose ball before spotting goalkeeper Esson well off
his line and, despite the awkward angle, managed to swerve the ball into the
back of the net to extend Motherwell's lead.
Aberdeen then used the remainder of their substitutions in a desperate attempt
to take something from the game and Clark and Mackie made way for Scott Muirhead
and John Stewart but a stubborn Motherwell held on for the three points.
Teams:
Aberdeen (1) 1 Motherwell (2) 3
Aberdeen Esson, Hart (Morrison 80), Diamond, McGuire,
Byrne (Blaha 46), McNaughton, Heikkinen, Severin, Clark,
Whelan, Mackie (Stewart 75).
Subs Not Used: Preece, Muirhead, Foster, Winter.
Booked: Whelan.
Goals: Heikkinen 38.
Motherwell Marshall, Paul Quinn, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell,
Fagan, McBride, Leitch (Kerr 45), Paterson, Hamilton,
Scott McDonald (Clarkson 87).
Subs Not Used: Corr, Britton, Foran, Kinniburgh, Fitzpatrick.
Booked: Fagan, Partridge.
Goals: McBride 22 pen, Hamilton 32, Scott McDonald 72.
Att: 10,443
Ref: C Murray (Scotland).
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