McCall gave Casagolda a starting place and rested Sutton on the bench. He was joined by Hateley and Jones returned to his place on the left wing.
The game started in a gale. Driving rain lashed the pitch and the strong wind pushed any high balls towards the East Stand. Fans in the front rows retreated as the game kicked off five minutes late.
Despite the horrible conditions both team deserved credit for their determination to keep the ball on the deck and pass their way forward. Saunders, Murphy and Humphrey had the best of the half chances in the first period and at the other end Randolph's only concern was when Killie got the ball in the net but from an offside position.
Not a pleasant night at Fir Park
The visitors seemed content to get ten men behind the ball and play on the break. They allowed Randolph to roll the ball out and started their resistance at the halfway line. Our wide play with Hammell and Humphrey on the left, and Saunders and Jones on the right produced lots of crosses but the big defenders cleared comfortably.
The best of the game came in the second half when we attacked the Cooper end. Again we pressed but had difficulty breaking though their back line. A Saunders’ cross was headed wide at the near post by Casagolda, Hammell’s corner was headed wide by Hutchison at the back post then Hammell rattled the bar with a free kick from 28 yards.
Motherwell kept the pressure up and made a couple changes. First Casagolda made way for Sutton then Lasley was replaced by Hateley and the chances kept coming. Murphy and the Jennings had fierce shots blocked by Bell from the angle of the six yard box when a goal looked likely.
The inevitable breakaway came just inside the last ten minutes. Clancy produced a fine cross from the right and Silva headed into the net. The visiting fans were able to enjoy the goal as much for the surprise as anything else. It seemed impossible that they were going to win the game until then.
Hammell pulled a hamstring and Gunning made his debut. As the minutes ran out Hateley had a free kick from the ‘D’ hit the wall and finally Gunning shot high.
We can be pleased with almost everything tonight but the score. The harsh fact is that we have won only once in eleven SPL outings and we are slipping down the table.