Steelmen spoil party after they earn draw

Jan 7 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL took another tentative step back towards where they believe they belong with a hard fought 0-0 draw against St Mirren at the weekend.

Sentiment had to be put to one side by the visitors who were supposed to take a back seat as the Buddies bode farewell to 115 years of football at Love Street on Saturday.

“We were here to spoil the party,” an unforgiving McGhee said after the contest.

“And while we haven't completely done that, it was still a decent performance.”

More than 10,000 fans turned up for the last ever SPL match to be staged at a run down Love Street before the Paisley club move into more unfamiliar surroundings less than a mile down the road – the spanking new state of the art St Mirren Park.

With an extremely healthy Motherwell support who travelled to the match also adding to an atmosphere more akin to a cup semi-final clash than your run of the mill Premier League outing the scene was set for a memorable affair, a fitting end to a historic venue.

But in the end the match failed to live up to the hype with the points being shared in a 0-0 draw.

Chances were at a premium throughout the match and a share of the points was probably just about what both sides deserved although Motherwell had two debatable late penalty claims turned down.

A Klimpl effort appeared to hit off the hand of a Saints player before Paul Quinn claimed he was fouled in the final minute of the game by Stephen McGinn.

Afterwards Paul Quinn said the referee had bottled it.

And he was probably right.

But it would have been a brave man to have given The Steelmen a penalty in what was St Mirren’s day for tears and souvenirs.

The match started at a breathtaking speed with both sides cheered on by the enthusiastic full house.

And the occasion seemed to get the better of Saints stalwart Hugh Murray when he was yellow carded for a rash challenge on midfielder Jim O’Brien after just seven minutes.

Despite an erratic start by Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith, the former Rangers stopper pulled off an excellent point blank save from six yards to prevent in-form Andy Dorman from giving the Buddies a lead on 13 minutes after good build-up play involving Stephen McGinn and Garry Brady.

Three minutes later Motherwell had their first chance when a looping Chris Porter header sailed just over the bar.

Jim Hamilton, who was feeling aggrieved by a number of referee Alan Muir’s early decisions as were the partisan home support, played in Andy Dorman midway through the half but the attacking midfielder failed to trouble Smith with a weak effort on goal.

Keith Lasley nearly gave the visitors the lead 12 minutes from the interval after winning the ball in midfield and exchanging passes with David Clarkson and Stephen Hughes.

However his effort from eight yards was forced out for a corner by home keeper Mark Howard.

Hugh Murray thundered in a long range effort at the end of the half which was the last action of a poor first 45 minutes.

Former Celtic midfielder O’Brien made Howard work straight after the re-start – fizzing in a volley from outside the box that the keeper handled securely.

Scotland international striker David Clarkson was next to test Howard with a low drive from a narrow angle that was parried away for a corner.

It was end to end action in the second period with both sides looking to pick up all three points although Motherwell were offering more of an attacking threat.

Substitute Craig Dargo did try to cement his place in Saints’ history with an ambitious effort from long range that was straight at Graeme Smith.

Jim O’Brien then tried a deft flick from six yards that ended in the hands of a grateful Howard.

Five minutes before the end Motherwell were left fuming after Maros Klimpl’s drive from inside the box appeared to be handled by St Mirren substitute Tom Brighton in the six yard box but referee Muir waved away the protests.

In what was a pulsating end to an otherwise disappointing match Chris Porter’s right-footed effort was then turned round the post by Howard.

The same player then sclaffed a great chance from the middle of the penalty area seconds later before the referee ‘bottled it’ in the final minute.

St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Cuthbert, Potter, Miranda (Brighton 83), Brady (Robb 69), Murray, Dorman, McGinn, Hamilton (Dargo 65), Wyness.

Booked: Murray, Brighton.

Motherwell: Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Klimpl, Hughes, Lasley, O'Brien (Murphy 82), Porter, Clarkson.

Booked: Lasley.

Attendance: 10,189.

Referee: Alan Muir.