Mark McGhee had planned to start with the same eleven that took three midweek points at Tannadice but Fletcher appeared for McDonald as the teams ran from the tunnel. It seems Skippy's hamstring caused concern during the warm up.
A rare start for Fletcher
Our replacement striker's involvement was almost ended after a 15 minute head clash with Scobbie but after some work with the magic sponge he recovered.
Twenty five minutes passed before either team mustered a shot. It typified the poor start to the game – Moult blasted high into the stand from 20 yards. It was followed moments later by a McFadden corner that curled out of play before the ball reached the six yard box.
Faddy did better with his next delivery when, from the same corner, he fired into the box for Moult to head into the net. The first effort on target had us one up.
Craig should have levelled the game five minutes before the break but he skied from 7 yards with the goal gaping. He set up the equaliser a minutes later when his cut back allowed Wotherspoon to beat Ripley at his near post with a powerful shot.
The uneven surface did not help the players and the game was littered with misplaced passes and balls launched high from defence. An dribble was at risk of a costly bobble.
Hammell replaced McFadden as the second half got underway and the scrappy encounter continued. Cadden got a foot to a low cross but there waqs no control and the ball went high. Hammell delivered a free kick but Moult's heared also flew over the bar. At the other end Cummins headed a cross wide.
Pearson replaced Gomis and with ten minutes left Ainsworth came on for the tiring Fletcher. Sutton received his usual round of applause from the Motherwell support when he made his appearance. Just before our last substitution Craig spurned a great chance when he failed to find the target from the angle of the six yard box.
We had reason to worry when when Hall conceded a free kick 30 yards out. He was booked. Lappin delivered it into the box and Scobbie headed home. Another late, late goal robbed us of a point.
St Johnsone 2 Motherwell 1
Attendance 3,039 (429)
Team: Ripley, Laing, McManus, Hall, McFadden (Hammell 45)Johnson, Lasley, Cadden, Gomis (Pearson 63), Fletcher (Ainsworth 78), Moult