6.40pm

Today's result: Motherwell 1, Hibernian 2

Thought we were a wee bit unlucky to lose this afternoon's match against Hibs.  After conceding an early goal (again), we did well to get ourselves back into the game before losing a late winner against the run of play.  Them's the breaks I suppose.

Terry Butcher made one change to the team from Parkhead, with Scott McDonald partnering Alex Burns in attack and David Clarkson dropping to the bench along side our new loan signing, Kevin McBride.

Hibs look the lead after just 2 minutes, when a ball over the top somehow opened up our entire defence, and O'Connor ran through to slot the ball past Marshall. We immediately went in search of an equaliser, and Burns had a couple of opportunities before we eventually drew level after 20 mins, when O'Donnell fired home after being set up by McDonald.  The remainder of the first half was fairly even, with both teams having further chances - most notably from a Motherwell point of view a Shaun Fagan header that was cleared off the line.

 Motherwell were the better team in the second half, and should have gone 2-1 ahead when Paterson's angled shot was saved by Brown following more good build up play from McDonald.  The visitors were restricted to the occasional counter-attack, and sadly it was one of these rare forays up the park that resulted in their winner when O'Connor volleyed past Marshall following a deep cross by Morrow.  With Motherwell pushing for a second equaliser, Hibs lost the plot in the closing stages and Murdock was red-carded for punching O'Donnell in the face as they waited for a free-kick to be taken, and although the offence took place inside the box no penalty was awarded as the referee presumably ruled the ball was not in play.  With just a couple of minutes to go, Brebner, who had already been booked and had generally been acting like a twat all game, also saw red after raising his hands to Stevie Craigan.  Unfortunately there wasn't enough time left for Motherwell to take advantage of Hibs depleted numbers, and visitors held on for a somewhat undeserved 2-1 win.

As I mentioned earlier, I thought we did ok today up to a point and a draw was the least we deserved from the game.  However, our midfield is continuing to give major cause for concern, and Fagan was little more than a passenger today while Leitch's distribution was woeful to say the least.  I also have to say that given the competition we now have for striking positions, surely its time Alex Burns was dropped as he was completely ineffective yet again today.

On a positive note, William Kinniburgh was again excellent today and although Kevin McBride was only on the park for 30 mins or so, he did more than enough to suggest he will be a decent acquisition.

On to Dens Park next week!

Team: Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Kinniburgh, Hammell, Fagan (McBride 62), O'Donnell, Leitch, Paterson (Foran 81), McDonald, Burns (Clarkson 74).
Subs not used: Partridge, Corr, Cowan, Wright.

Booked: Leitch.

Attendance: 5,859.

Visit the Official Site for details of a new 'Well book heading your way soon...