No Cup Joy for Motherwell

Marshall, Fitzpatrick and Kinniburgh replaced Corr, Paterson and Partridge as we kicked off in driving rain on a windy start to the Scottish Cup trail.

We had the better of the first half hour with McDonald looking sharp. Richie Foran had an early first effort with an unmarked header going high and wide The impressive 'Well support roared for a penalty after twenty minutes when McDonald was ambushed in the box but the referee turned his back.

The game then began to swing Kilmarnock's way and Marshall had to react quickly to get a hand to a fierce shot in thirty five minutes. Then came the collapse.

Minutes before the break we failed to clear a corner from the right and the ball rattled about the six yard box. Marshall stopped it on the line but the rebound was prodded home by MacDonald. In the added time we conceded a second from another corner. The ball came off the bar from a McBride clearance on the line and Marshall collected the ball after the bounce but the far side assistant signalled for the goal and we were two down at the break.

We expected a battling performance in the second half but it did not happen. Much huffing and puffing was in evidence but the sad fact is that only a twenty five yard rocket from Scott Leitch caused the Kilmarnock defence any cause for concern. The shot rattled the post and with fifteen minutes still to play it looked like our slim chance of a replay had disappeared.

The 'Well kick off in the rain - we were still level then!

If the toothless second half showing was not enough to send the two and a half thousand 'Well fans home then the dismissal of Craigan with two minutes to go did the job.

The card happy referee was flashing his yellow card at almost every foul and the unfortunate defender trotted of the park head down.

We have the CIS cup semi final to anticipate but we will need a better showing to avoid two cup exits in a month.