At no time did we look like winning this game. Dundee, playing with three confident forwards, carried a threat with every attack while we weak in defence and devoid of ideas elsewhere. Once again the man of the match award could easily have been withheld.
Every picture tells a story
The only surprise surrounding Clarkson’s inevitable goal was that it came so early. Inside the first two minutes he produced a terrific shot from the edge of the box into the postage stamp corner. The home crowd was generous to our former favourite and he was afforded generous applause.
We were unable to cope with the pace, control and vision of the opposition strikers and they carved out lots of chances. Our midfield fared no better and the loss of a 50/50 challenge of the halfway line led to the second goal after 30 minutes. Twardzik parried a shot and Harkins had an easy finish.
Clarkson had a good chance with an unopposed back post header before we were lot off the hook when McGowan failed to convert from 8 yards. Twardzik kept the margin to two at the break.
The manager elected to watch the first half from the stand then pulled McManus and Leitch and introduced Kerr and Carswell for the second forty five and then took up his normal stance at the touchline. But there was no improvement.
Another shredding of the defence afforded Stewart an easy tap in on the hour and all hope was gone. Ojamaa played the lone striking role for most of the game with Sutton in a deeper position. Francis-Angol and Ainsworth did deliver crosses but they were easily taken by Bain.
The Estonian persevered and saw a fierce shot tipped for a corner. His reward came when the resulting delivery offered him a scrambled goal but there was no hope of a miracle.
It was another poor show from the team that has scored only six from ten outings. Only Ross County has conceded more. With away trips to Aberdeen and Perth ahead there is no sign of an upturn in our fortune. There were lots of unhappy faces trooping away from Fir Park after the game.
Motherwell 1 (Ojamaa) Dundee 3
Team: Twardzik, Ramsden, O'Brien, McManus (Kerr 45), Francis-Angol (Law 75), Ainsworth, Lasley, Leitch (Carswell 45), Sutton, Ojamaa
Attendance 4,016 (644)