Coke returned from suspension to replace Forbes but the change did little to deliver much in the way of entertainment. Derbies are supposed to be fought with passion and urgency but this encounter provided neither. The atmosphere was limp and goalmouth action rare as the teams cancelled each other out in a grinding midfield slog.
Motherwell have the ball under control!
The Accies had the best of the earlier exchanges and Ruddy flapped at a couple of crosses to give them encouragement. McLaughlin's header beat the keeper but we were saved by the woodwork. We had two first half chances. Sutton provided a fine cushioned pass to give Coke a clear shot from 9 yards but the rushed attempt was off target. The second was a Hateley free kick from around 25 yards.
Memories of his peach against Rangers gave hope to the decent away support but Cerny was untroubled as the attempt flew high and wide.
The game had been littered with hefty challenges and misplaced passes and both management teams had their wok cut out to inspire the teams at half time. Motherwell's response was to make a double change ten minutes after the break. Coke and O'Brien were replaced by Humphey and McLinchey. Sadly, it made no difference. McLinchey looked lively enough but nothing came of his contribution.
Hateley tries again but misses the target this time
Ruddy saved the game for us with a cracking pair of saves on the hour. Mensing's looping header looked to have our man beat but his quick reflexes enabled him to rise and tip the ball over the bar. The resulting corner gave Elebert a chance but his header was also touched over.
Sutton might have broken the deadlock when he took a long ball on his chest inside the box. He should have hit the target but the ball flew high above the bar. Murphy was thrown on for the last fifteen minutes with Jutkiewicz making way and though the youngster had a few good runs they were wide and came to nought.
Hamilton had a frightening amount of possession in our half but we were fairly comfortable in defence. One exception was when another defensive misunderstanding almost cost us a goal. Reynolds, from Ruddy's right, passed the ball towards the keeper but in the ensuing confusion we lost it and eventually Mensing had the ball on the 18 yard line with the keeper in no man's land. Fortunately the guardian's legs blocked the shot.
The final whistle signalled a scrappy point apiece and it would be the home side that felt they had missed the chance to take all three.