Motherwell lose again

We rarely looked comfortable despite having plenty of possession. The sad statistic that we have scored only one goal from open play in the last nine hours of football sums up the problem perfectly.

Oh dear!

Chances fell mainly to Porter but faced with a confident Killie keeper his chances were, for the most part, easily snuffed out. The striker came close to finding the net in the second half when a nice piece of work on the right side of the box set up a chance for a left footed shot. The ball looked to be bending in at the far post but Combe got his fingers in play to concede a corner.

The first goal was lost to a header from a Skelton corner in the thirty fifth minute. Our defence seemed to be rooted to the spot and Pascali needed no second invitation. The second came towards the end of the game when Russell smashed low across Smith. We had been pressing for the equaliser but paid the price for our inability to make the best of half chances.

Steven Saunders was given his first full game following his brief appearance at Aberdeen a few weeks earlier. The youngster made an impressive showing in the right back slot and within the first ten minutes he showed off his talents with a dangerous crossed ball, a good long throw and powerful defensive heading. His showing was one of the few positives which the manager can grasp from the defeat.

Overall it was a depressing evening in front of a pitiful 3339 spectators. McGhee's thoughts about a poor product for live television were on show. A cold Monday night in December and live telly - how could anyone expect a decent crowd?

The upcoming derby on Saturday now has to have an air of a relegation battle. If we lose against Accies talk of a top six finish will be far from the minds of the fans.