Colin Meldrum made a surprise appearance between the sticks when Smith failed to make the starting line up. It is believed that he has been carrying a groin strain for some time but hopes are high that he can resume duties in the upcoming semi final on Wednesday.
The replacement keeper made a couple of vital stops to keep us in the game. He had no chance at the opener when the defence seemed to give Young space on the right hand side of the box. His shot to the far corner escaped the forest of legs and the unsighter keeper had to lift the ball from the net after eleven minutes.
The loss of the goal followed an encouraging spell for Motherwell. Kerr had a go from twenty five yards then McDonald tried an overhead kick on the penalty spot. Unfortunately McGregor was in the correct place to make the save and seconds later the ball was in our net.
Donnelly almost stretched the deficit five minutes later but this time Meldrum saw the shot and made a fine low save with his outstretched right hand.
Foran then took control of the rest next twenty minutes with a series of chances. He had a couple of shots on target and a far post header just wide then he burst into the box, beat the keeper with the placed shot and couldn’t believe his poor luck when the ball struck the post. It fell for McBride who fired high with the target large in his sites. This effort summed up Kevin’s afternoon.
After the break excellent work from McDonald on the right wing set up the equaliser. He beat a couple of defenders on the touchline and crossed deep. McBride collected at the edge of the six yard box and squared to Hamilton who was presented with the simplest of goals from a yard.
The game took on a cup tie feeling as both teams set about grabbing a winner. Again Meldrum played his part with a fine stop from a corner. McDonald twisted, fired and struck the bar then a long range rocket from Hammell forced McGregor into a fine save but the deadlock remained.
It was a game we could have won and on the balance of play we should have won.