Malpas choose to start with Meldrum and Fitzpatrick and neither let him down. Motherwell needed to shuffle the pack when
McLean crocked again
The transformation in effort and attitude compared to last week's shambles was more than enough to gain the backing of the fans. From the start we battled, chased and dominated proceedings. We had a few chances and Gordon was kept busy while Meldrum watched on from the other end.
There were several bad tempered niggles and the referee booked four before the break but we looked comfortable and were clearly the better team. Foran had the best of our first half chances when he was clean through on the left side of the box but his attempt to find the far corner narrowly missed.
Reynolds and Fitzpatrick hold the line
The pattern was similar in the second period. Lots of Motherwell pressure but no end product. Foran and McDonald had lots of the ball but few clear cut goal scoring opportunities resulted.
Our enthusiasm for attack cost us dear when we lost possession after a corner. Hartley fed McCann and he crossed to Mole who managed to score despite the desperate attentions of the returning defence. It was a lead the visitors hardly deserved.
Eventually McCormack replaced the tiring Fitzpatrick as we continued to press. Lasley had a chance three yards from the line but the keeper stood up to his blast. Our best chance of an equaliser came in injury time when it looked like
The team were cheered off the park for their efforts and it was lest for the manager to make the usual comments. “The better team lost, it was a great performance, we're disappointed after the boys' efforts”.
Still if we keep up that level of play we'll start to put points on the board soon. All is not lost, yet.