"They were very good, we were nowhere near our best", was the verdict of Stuart Mccall after the match and few of the six thousand Motherwell fans at the game would disagree.
Cummins replaced the injured Ramsden and Hammell returned after serving his suspension. The rest made up the eleven who earned our first win of the season in Kilmarnock. Many hoped that the uplift in confidence that followed would give us some momentum as we took on Levante in what was the third game against foreign opposition this season but it did not turn out that way.
All square at this stage!
Navas in the visiting goal had very little to do while Randolph probably did most to keep the score respectable. We almost reached the break with the game goalless but some schoolboy defending caused the loss of a goal in the 42nd minute. A ball over the top saw our defensive line claim as Gekas was in an offside position but Juanlu ran through, colllected the ball and delivered it into the net.
Motherwell mounted a spirited attempt to get into the game for spell after the break but we were unable to create any clear cut chance. Humphrey did well to escape on the left and his drive along the dead ball line ended with a tempting ball across the six yard box but the onrushing strikers were a yard short. Ojamaa had an effort block and another pulled wide. The crowd was in full flow and the players were urged forward but we fell foul of a goal on the break just after the hour.
Lell outpaced Hammell before setting up El Zhar who had no difficulty slamming the ball beyond Randolph. The game was over. We lost Hutchinson was a last gasp foul on Gekas gave the referee no option but to send him off. The visitors kept us out of the game for the remaining half hour.
It was clear throughout that they are the better team. Their passing was crisp and accurate and they demonstrated a comfort on the ball that we did not. Every attack seemed to have pace and purpose whereas we were short of ideas.
In theory the tie is not settled but it seems clear that our priority now has to be competing against the likes of St Mirren, Inverness and the rest. That's our level and any pretence otherwise is cruel deception.