Seven hundred Motherwell fans left Rugby Park fearing for the season ahead after a 3-2 loss to Kilmarnock.
Acts of self harm from the ‘Well defence littered the game starting with a crazy gift to Kilmarnock with barely a minute on the clock. The Steelmen then controlled most of the first period and could have been ahead at the break. The lead was secured ten minutes into the second half but Kilmarnock piled on the pressure to score the couple to inflict a fifth straight defeat on Alfred Johansson’s side.
Ibrahim Said and Tawanda Maswanhise were back in the starting eleven and after the early gift following a hospital pass from Alex Paulsen they picked up the pace when Greg Kiltie scored.
Maswanhise looked more like himself as Motherwell carved out several decent chances. Emmanuel Longelo was the provider of the equaliser as he delivered a telling cross from the left wing. Seb Palmer-Houlden’s attempt was blocked but the ball fell to Alex Lowry at the edge of the box and he drove low to the goalkeeper’s right corner.
Maswanhise fashioned a shot off the upright and it seemed likely that Motherwell would talke the lead.
The goal that put Motherwell ahead came soon after the resumption. Said squared to Palmer-Houlden and the ball was bundled into the net.
The travelling fans had hardly settled when John-Jules fired low into the net. Kilmarnock grabbed the reprieve and took charge.
Motherwell turned to the bench for a triple substitution and before they had time for a kick of the ball Kiltie slammed the home side into the lead.
There was no way back for Motherwell as the home side continued to probe for a fourth.
Five losses on the trot merely piles on the pressure as Motherwell are now only a point off the bottom. Few will fancy their chances against Hearts next weekend.
Kilmarnock 3 Motherwell 2
Attendance: 5,137 (732)
Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, (Koutroumbis80), O’Donnell, Moorman (Girdwood-Reich 68), Hodge, Longelo, Fadinger (Levitt74), Lowry (Kanga 68), Said, Maswanhise , Palmer-Houlden (Bjorgolfsson 68)
Saturday 17 October 2026
