‘Well continue march towards Europe

Mar 10 2010 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

St Johnstone 1 Motherwell 2

IN the dying embers of Saturday’s Premiership clash between Wolves and Manchester United, 20-year-old Welshman Sam Vokes spurned a glorious chance for Wolves that would have secured a point for his side and put a major dent in United’s quest for a fourth Premiership title in a row.

Even the very best sides get lucky and just as Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges came away from the Molineux Stadium with a slightly fortuitous three points, the same can also be said of Craig Brown’s Motherwell, statistically the second best side in the SPL this calendar year, after John Sutton’s late winner at McDiarmid Park.

It's only a matter of time before Motherwell secure their place in the top six and they can now turn their attentions to securing a top four spot and a return to European football for the third season in a row – something which would represent a remarkable achievement for a club that has continually punched above its weight in recent years.

Craig Brown claimed Saturday’s victory was his most pleasing to date since taking charge of Motherwell at the turn of the year.

It is hard to argue with this and judging by the reaction of the visiting players and fans at the end, they too realised the importance and significance of the win.

There always seems to be something more satisfying in a positive result when you least deserve it.

This victory was a case in point.

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes felt the defeat was harsh on his side and it was hard to disagree.

He hinted his side possibly merited all three points but as Brown said in his post match press conference, a draw would have been a fair result.

Motherwell began the better side and showed the confidence of a team that has not lost in the league this year.

John Sutton felt he should have had a penalty in the opening two minutes after a marauding run down the right wing by Chris Humphrey found the Englishman.

Dave Mackay appeared to haul the Englishman to the ground but it would have been a soft penalty if referee Craig Thomson had pointed to the spot.

Saints striker Kenny Deuchar could have done better with a header seconds later at the other end but it was the visitors that were making all the early running in this keenly-fought contest.

Humphrey’s pace was causing the home side plenty of problems and having cut in from the right the winger shot tamely at goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

It was not long before Motherwell were ahead as Jamie Murphy made it three goals from as many games on 12 minutes.

The striker managed to beat Graeme Smith to the ball after the goalkeeper had come off his line and despite his initial shot being blocked by Graham Gartland, the Scotland under 21 international made no mistake second time round when the ball fell kindly back to him inside the box.

Given the fact Motherwell had conceded just one goal in nine league matches this year you would have forgiven St Johnstone if their heads had dropped.

But Derek McInnes’ side are made of strong stuff which should see them avoid relegation and they began to exert control of the first half after Murphy’s opener.

Liam Craig went close with a free-kick before Ruddy saved well from another Deuchar header eight yards out.

From the resulting corner Steve Jennings cleared a Dave Mackay header off the line and when the ball landed at the feet of Michael Duberry on the left side of the box, the defender blasted wide.

It did not take long , however, for the deserved equaliser to come.

A neat back heel from Kenny Deuchar in the box turned Stephen Craigan inside out and the ball found Steven Milne who slid the ball low past Ruddy from 12 yards on 26 minutes.

Six minutes later Milne had an edge of the box effort deflected over the bar as the home side pressed for a half-time lead but despite their territorial dominance it was Motherwell who nearly went in at the interval ahead.

Sutton side-footed wide from six yards after a low Steve Hammell delivery and Murphy had a shot well saved by Smith right on half-time.

20-year-old Murphy had the best chance of the second half when his effort was somehow blocked on the line by Duberry after a quickly taken free-kick by Keith Lasley.

Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan appeared slightly leaden footed on occasions and Liam Craig nearly took advantage when through on goal but he could only hook his right footed effort wide of the target.

The imposing presence of Kenny Deuchar gave Motherwell far more problems than Kevin Kyle did last week for Kilmarnock and the former Gretna target man should have scored when afforded a free header eight yards out.

But fortune favours the brave and you have to give Brown and Archie Knox credit for the three substitutes they made in the final 20 minutes.

Coke and Forbes came on for a tired looking O’Brien and Keith Lasley that showed a statement of intent – Motherwell were not settling for a point, however welcome that would have been.

It was the introduction of Lukas Jutkiewicz for a late cameo that really proved decisive.

With four minutes remaining Hammell threaded a ball through to the Everton loanee and his angled shot was only parried by Smith towards the feet of Sutton and he made no mistake scrambling the ball home.

It was harsh on St Johnstone but credit to Craig Brown and his trusted lieutenant Knox for the late changes.

Brown does not take kindly to suggestions his organisational qualities as a manager equate to being a defence minded football philosopher and the gaffer was quick to remind those in attendance after the match that his substitutions were attacking moves.

From that perspective maybe Motherwell deserved all three points.

If decisions and luck do even themselves out at the end of the season then this was maybe payback for the unjust nature of Motherwell’s draw against Rangers last month when the wrong decision to chalk off Ross Forbes’s second half goal changed the game.

For champions-elect Rangers that match proved again that even the best sides get lucky.

St Johnstone: Smith, Millar, Milne, Craig (Morais 87), Mackay, Moon, Deuchar, Gartland, Davidson (Morris 66), Anderson (Grainger 28), Duberry. Subs not used: Main, Swankie, Sheridan, Connolly.

Goals: Milne (26).

Motherwell: Ruddy, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Humphrey, Jennings, Sutton, Lasley (Forbes 69), Murphy (Jutkiewicz 81), O'Brien (Coke 69), Hateley. Subs not used: Fraser, McGlinchey, McHugh, Saunders.

Booked: Forbes (87).

Goals: Murphy (12), Sutton (86).

Referee: Craig Thomson..

Attendance: 3,669.