10.50pm

Tonight's Result (CIS Cup Semi Final): Motherwell 1, Celtic 2.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just back from Hampden and I'm not really sure what to say.  We were superb and easily the better team throughout, yet with just two mins to go we gifted Celtic a crazy and completely underserved winner.  To say I am gutted doesn't even begin to describe how I am feeling.

Right from the kick off you could tell the players were up for the game, and we took the lead after just 11 minutes when Richie Foran outjumped Celtic goalkeeper Boruc to head into an empty net.  We continued to have the better of the match, yet Celtic somehow found themselves level after 30 mins when, completely against the run of the play, Zurawski ran through and his shot hit the advancing Smith but ended up in the back of the net.  Two great chances then fell to Scott McDonald, but sadly both were passed up, and not surprisingly we would be left to rue them later in the match.

The second half turned into a bit of a scrappy affair with little attacking football on show from either side, but Motherwell continued to have the upper hand territorially and for long spells Celtic were unable to get out of their own half.  We forced a series of corners (NINE in total compared to zero for Celtic!), yet the closest we came to scoring was probably a Kerr free kick which was well saved by Boruc.  The match looked destined for extra time, but with 88 minutes on the clock all our good work was undone in a moment of madness from the usually reliable Martyn Corrigan.  He sent a crazy pass back to Smith, who had to handle the ball to prevent a goal, and when an indirect free kick was awarded, Hartson setup Maloney who smashed the ball into the net to break Motherwell hearts.

I thought that after our last two league fixtures against the Old Firm we might be due a bit of luck tonight, but sadly it just wasn't to be.  There really wasn't much more the team could have done - everyone was outstanding and in no way did we deserve to lose, especially in such ridiculous circumstances.  I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

Special mention to the 6,000 or so 'Well fans for creating a cracking atmosphere in the West Stand tonight and completely out-singing the Celtic supporters sparsely congregated around the rest of the stadium.  Heart breaking to think that they'll be going to the final and we won't.  I guess sometimes there simply isn't any justice in this world!

Team (4-4-2): Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, McLean, Hammell, McBride (O'Donnell 89), McCormack, Kerr, Foran, Scott McDonald, Hamilton (Thermeus 89). 
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Fagan, Reynolds.

Scorer: Foran (11).

Booked: Craigan.

Attendance: 32,595.

Speaking after the match, Terry Butcher revealed Martyn Corrigan was in tears but had the backing of his team mates:
"They all are gutted.  Martyn apologised to the players straight away. There are lots of tears because we have come so close again.  The first thing the lads said was 'it is not your fault because we are a team'.  Players have missed chances and we have had great opportunities to score and Martyn has made a backpass a little too strong and Graeme has had to jump on it.  It was a hard thing to take and there was no way back for us.  I am bitterly disappointed and sick we are not through."