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SPL: Dundee United 1 Motherwell 1 |
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Saturday, 10 March 2007 |
 A controversial second-half flashpoint saw Motherwell denied a late winner against Dundee United - after officials initially appeared to let the goal to stand. Scott McDonald's strike was eventually chalked off after a seeming change of heart from referee Dougie McDonald - who later reduced the visitors to 10 men.
A controversial second-half flashpoint saw Motherwell denied a late winner against Dundee United - after officials initially appeared to let the goal to stand. Scott McDonald's strike was eventually chalked off after a seeming change of heart from referee Dougie McDonald - who later reduced the visitors to 10 men.
The 1-1 draw means that Motherwell remain above the hosts on goal difference in ninth spot in the Bank of Scotland Premier League table. Motherwell boss Maurice Malpas made four changes to his starting line-up from the side which lost at home to Hearts on Monday. Striker Scott McDonald came back into the team after suspension, but midfielder Brian Kerr missed out through injury.
Steven McGarry, Kevin McBride and Paul Quinn all came into the visitors starting line-up for the match. Mark Kerr made United boss Craig Levein's starting line-up after a groin problem. But David Robertson dropped to the bench from the United team that started against Caley Thistle last week, with Steven Robb coming into the starting line-up.
The visitors, playing in unfamiliar claret away strips, made the stronger start and should have had the lead after just five minutes. Jim Paterson hit the byline and swung in a dangerous cross from the left which found McDonald a few yards out in front of goal, but the striker headed over. The Australian hitman went close just five minutes later when he drove forward midway inside the United half and unleashed a right-footed effort from 25 yards which flew narrowly wide.
United were struggling to get started, but threatened in the 16th minute when Robb cut inside on the left flank and delivered a cross-cum-shot which visitors keeper Graeme Smith did well to hold. However, the home side took the lead on 28 minutes after a blunder from Well keeper Smith. Sean Dillon swung a ball into the box from the right, which Jon Daly met with a looping header. Smith seemed set to claim the high ball, but he buckled under pressure from Robb, who nodded home.
However, the visitors hit back, when David Clarkson was fouled on the edge of the box on 36 minutes. Full-back Danny Murphy stepped up and dispatched a low, left-footed free-kick through the wall into Stillie 's bottom right hand corner for the leveller. Levein made a change at the break with David Robertson coming on in place of Robb. Only a desperate late challenge from Scotland international defender Lee Wilkie kept the hosts level in 53 minutes, after Paul Quinn had crossed from the right and Kevin Bride looked set to net from close range.
United went close at the other end two minutes later when Noel Hunt wriggled his way into the box, but the legs of Well keeper Smith kept his shot at bay. The resultant corner from Barry Robson was met with a powerful from header from Wilkie, but the defender's effort sailed over. United almost moved ahead in 61 minutes when Dillon's free-kick was nodded down by Hunt into the path of Daly in front of goal, but Reynolds stole in to clear the danger.
A 71st-minute flashpoint saw Motherwell controversially denied a second goal - after officials initially appeared to have let McDonald's effort stand. A long ball from Paterson was nodded into the striker's path by David Clarkson and, despite well looking offside, McDonald raced in to slot past Stillie. Referee McDonald initially signalled for a goal, but after protests from United players and a further consultation with a linesman - who had not flagged - the goal was disallowed.
Motherwell's misery was compounded in the 80th minute when they were reduced to 10 men after Paul Quinn was sent off for a second yellow card. Substitute Kenny Connolly kept the visitors level late on when he cleared a Daly header off the line. |
