Killie kicked off on a perfect pitch facing the sun drenched fans in the away stand. Motherwell began with just the one enforced change, Francis-Angol replacing the suspended Hammell and one injury based switch with Humphrey filling Daley's slot. The left back, making his first start, was soon involved and delivered a couple of telling crosses.
Early exchanges were even. We had a couple of corners and they gave us a few scary moments in our box but it was Murphy who scored the opener. He picked Johnston’s pocket then ran into the box to fire low to Bell’s far post. The ‘keeper got a touch but the ball found the net to give us an early lead.
Murphy wheels away as the ball enters the net for his second
We had a let off on the half hour when Boulding missed a simple chance but we failed to heed the warning and conceded a minute later. The defence stood off Harkins and allowed him to waltz into the box then deliver a low drive beyond Randolph and in at the far post.
We survived a strong Kilmarnock push for the lead and countered with one from Murphy. A pass from Higdon over the top released our man who had a thirty yard run before rounding Bell and passing into the empty net. Ojamaa was in an offside position but had the sense to stand still to let Jamie make his run.
There was bad news before the break when Ramsden broke down. It looked like an ankle knock and he hobbled off in some discomfort. Cummins filled the gap.
The second period bagan with a keep-ball session from Motherwell and Sheils responded by making a double substitution to increase their attacking options. Soon most of the action was in our last third but we did manage the occasional charge upfield. Murphy shot high then Ojamaa came close with a curler. Racchi tested Randolph with a long range rasper but the ‘keeper’s flying save kept the goal intact.
Hetherington came on for Law and Kerr made his first team debut when Humphrey was substituted with twenty minutes left. The young central defender joined from Birmingham this week though he was with our youth system for six years.
Kilmarnock pressed as the game entered the closing stages but they produced too many poor passes to cause us much concern. Three points and an away win should serve as excellent preparation for the European business that comes on Thursday.