Dunfermline Athletic 1 Motherwell 1

Last updated : 11 September 2004 By Footymad Previewer

A late goal from Scott McDonald denied Dunfermline their first win of the season.

The Motherwell striker beat Derek Stillie with a superbly-struck shot from 25 yards with just two minutes left to give his side a point.

Until then, Dunfermline looked set for victory after an early strike from Craig Brewster, while Noel Hunt should have settled it late on, but missed a close-in header.

Motherwell almost snatched an early lead when McDonald sliced the ball across goal and the alert Richie Foran beat Stillie, but his shot came back off the post.

Within five minutes, Dunfermline took the lead. Darren Young beat the offside trap to get behind the Motherwell defence and when Gordon Marshall parried his low shot it fell invitingly for Brewster to prod the ball home from four yards.

The goal provided the confidence lift the Pars have been missing this season. Billy Mehmet saw a 20-yard shot thump against William Kinniburgh, before unleashing a 25-yard effort which Marshall turned over the top.

The striker should have put Dunfermline further ahead moments later. Brewster played a delightful throughball into his path, but he lofted his effort inches over with Marshall left horribly exposed.

Motherwell's defence looked none too comfortable as they struggled to deal with Dunfermline's movement and the swirling wind added to the uncertainty.

A clever flick from Brewster delivered another chance for Gary Mason but his shot was charged down by Phil O'Donnell.

There was a let-off for Dunfermline in a rare Motherwell raid when Stillie raced out of his area and misjudged a long throughball from Steve Hammell, but he managed to get the top of his head to the ball and divert it to safety.

The goalkeeper made amends shortly afterwards when he dived full length to beat out a curling shot from Kevin McBride.

Dunfermline slackened off as the first half wore on and Motherwell looked more lively as they kept the ball on the ground and passed with more purpose.

Stillie's kicking was none too impressive in the difficult conditions and Motherwell started to sense they could get back on level terms.

A misplaced clearance from Andrius Skerla broke to McBride but Scott Thomson was across quickly to close down the shot.

A surging run from Martyn Corrigan released David Clarkson and his cross was met at the back post by Foran, but his header was just too high.

O'Donnell then saw a shot blocked by Scott Wilson after the Pars failed to deal convincingly with a Hammell corner.

At the other end, Gary Dempsey tested the concentration of Marshall with a shot from just outside the area which the goalkeeper held well, before appearing on his own line moments later to hook away a header from Foran.

Marshall made a great save early in the second half from another long-range effort from Mehmet and Hunt and Greg Shields both had chances to settle it.

But McDonald had the final say to give Motherwell a deserved point.