Motherwell salvaged a draw with a goal in injury time from Louis Moult. Ross County will view the result as a loss of two points but persistence paid off and the equaliser gave the home crowd something to cheer.
There was little on show to inspire the 3,545 fans in a game that was short of flowing football and full of huff and puff. County dominated the physical side of the game and when our defence failed to clear a ball into the box after half an hour Gardyne pounced to gave them the advantage. Had they concentrated more on extending their lead rather than time wasting for the next hour they might have returned north with three points.
Hammell, Laing and Taylor returned to action with Chalmers, Kennedy and Leitch making way. Moult had the first of the very few goal scoring chances in the match when he had a clear sight of goal after 3 minutes but his hooked effort missed the target.
The first half hour served up dull fare. Defences were on top and although the ball was moved from end to end there was nothing to stir the crowd. The visitors seemed faster and sharper and more than willing to use their height and weight advantage. We gifted them a goal following the delivery of a free kick from the main stand touchline. The ball fell to Gardyne 10 yards out and he had enough time to find the net. It was a poor goal to concede.
Almost immediately it was clear that every chance to delay the game would be taken by McIntyre’s team. Socks were adjusted, throw-in takers were changed and the ‘keeper seemed to have continual difficulty recovering the ball behind the dead ball line. It was fitting that the referee added 5 extra minutes and that they conceded in that period.
The gloom at half-time was reflected by the warming glow of the floodlights and the introduction of Robinson as McDonald was left n the dressing room. Soon Johnson appeared to replace Thomas and the pace of our attack picked up. Still, it seemed unlikely that we would find any success as every move forward broke down without any threat on Fox’s goal.
With 5 minutes remaining Grimshaw made his debut. His short time on the pitch suggested we will see much more of him in games to come.
The referee added 5 minutes and we earned a corner. The bugle sounded and we pushed for the equaliser. Lasley’s ball gave Johnson the chance to power deep into the box to square low across the face of goal and Moult was on hand to finish. It was his fourth goal in as many games and it spared the blushes.
We’ll have to improve for the visit across the Clyde next week.
Motherwell 1 Ross County 1
Attendance 3,545 (182)
Team: Ripley, Hammell, Laing, McManus, Ainsworth, Lasley, Law(Grimshaw 85), Moult, Thomas (Johnson 60), Taylor, McDonald (Robinson 45)