9.40pm

We recorded our first win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Dens Park yesterday afternoon, courtesy of a Scott McDonald double.  There were two changes to the team which lost to Hibs, with Clarkson and McBride favoured instead of Burns and Fagan.  We could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty, with David Clarkson firing wide from the spot in the first half.  It sounds like we thoroughly deserved the three points, even though we ended up hanging on when Dundee pulled a goal back late on.  We're now up to the heady heights of eighth in the league table.

Anyway, while all this was taking place I was watching Fulham v Bolton at Craven Cottage.  2-0 to Fulham in the end, and although they looked impressive, Bolton were very poor with Jay Jay Okocha in particular a big disappointment - almost as bad as Alex Burns.

Motherwell team: Marshall, Corrigan, Kinniburgh, Craigan, Hammell, McBride, Leitch, O'Donnell, Paterson (Fitzpatrick 73), Scott McDonald (Fagan 86), Clarkson. 
Subs Not Used: Corr, Foran, Burns, Partridge, Cowan.

Booked: none.

Attendance: 4,849.

Terry Butcher's post-match comments were as follows:
"I'm extremely happy and after the game I asked the players if they enjoyed the match and they said they were delighted, but they felt they should have had it won long before they did and I have to say that, for the sake of my health, I agree.  We had to hang on in the end because Dundee came back at us, but we deserved it.  The players have been anxious to get that first win of the season and it will do our confidence a lot of good now it's out of the way.  Although we lost our first two games we had belief that what we were doing was right and kept training the same way we had always been. We have good footballers and given the opportunity they will play and we did that in spells today.  Scott McDonald is 21 today and that was a great birthday present for him and the club. But he needs to work harder than he has been, but he knows that.  I always fancied him and Clarkson up front together and think they can go on to make a good partnership.

"David was disappointed to miss the penalty, but at least he had the bottle to take it. When he came in at half-time he apologised to the players and all I said to him was that he should keep his head up and if we get another one, he should have another go at it.  His all-round performance was excellent and he links with Scott so well. They both have to work hard at their game, because there is still loads of room for improvement, but the talent is definitely there.  David has had a busy time lately and I think he has only had about an hour off in the last week, so we have to make sure we give him some rest. He can be a big player for us this season, but he has to keep the same attitude and work hard."

Motherwell will travel to face Morton in the 2nd round of the CIS Cup on Tuesday night.  Kick off is at 7.30pm and prices are £14 and £7.