7.25pm

UPDATE: Ricky's report of the Hibs game is now available.

Today's result: Motherwell 2, Hibernian 2.

An injury time goal from Stephen Craigan earned us a point in an entertaining game at Fir Park this afternoon.  A draw was the least we deserved from a match we dominated for long periods, particularly in the first half.

Interesting team selection today, with TB opting for an usual 4-5-1 formation which saw Scott McDonald operate as the solitary striker.  The tactic certainly worked early on as Motherwell had much the better of the opening 45 minutes.  Foran and Corrigan both went close, while McDonald had an effort disallowed for offside.  We also had a decent penalty claim turned down when a Hibs defender appeared to handle in the box, but we eventually look the lead five minutes before the interval.  McDonald actually fouled Caldwell in the build up, but play was allowed to continue and the 'Well striker crossed low for O'Donnell to place the ball past Malkowski, earning me £20 in the process.

Hibs had rarely been seen as an attacking force in the first half, but they equalised shortly after the break when Sproule sprinted past Craigan and crossed for Killen to score.  This came just after McDonald and then O'Donnell missed a great chance to put Motherwell 2-0 up.  Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead when Glass' angled shot beat Meldrum, but Motherwell were not to be denied and Craigain scrambled an equaliser in the dying seconds following a corner kick.

This was an impressive all-round team performance, and with a bit of luck and better finishing we would have taken all three points.  I thought McCormack and Corrigan were outstanding, while Foran and O'Donnell also made excellent contributions and McDonald put in a power of work in his lone striker role.  Sadly, the two dropped points mean we really need to win next week in Aberdeen to keep us in with a realistic chance of making the top six, but if we play like we did today then there's no reason why we can't do just that.

Team (4-5-1): Meldrum, Corrigan (Paul Quinn 74), Craigan, McLean, Hammell, McBride (Paterson 88), Kerr, O'Donnell (Hamilton 79), McCormack, Foran, McDonald
Subs Not Used: Martin, Leitch, Clarkson, Kinniburgh.

Motherwell scorers: O'Donnell (40), Craigan (90).

Booked: none.

Attendance: 6,724.

Terry Butcher's post-match comments were as follows:
"I thought we deserved at least a point from the game.  I was really pleased with the approach of my players but I am disappointed to lose the goals when we did.  It was an intriguing game and with Phil O'Donnell scoring with his right foot and Stephen Craigan with his left, I might put the lottery on tonight.

"It's important we finish in the top six but it's not the be-all and end-all.  In terms of financial reward you get money finishing seventh and eighth but (if you are in the top six) you do get games against the Old Firm.  We all know what happened in those games at the end of last season and they are much more beneficial.  But it will still be an excellent season for us. We are on 40 points which in another season would have been good for us.  We still have eight games to go and it looks like we will need 46 or 47 points from our remaining three games to get there.  We play Aberdeen away, Livingston at home and Rangers away so they are massive games for us."

Martyn Corrigan, Stevie Hammell and Brian Kerr all started for the Scotland Future side in Wednesday's night's 3-2 defeat to Turkey in Inverness, with Kaiser captaining the side.

Looks like Shaun Fagan will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

The reserves lost 2-0 to their Falkirk counterparts at Fir Park in midweek.  Leitch, Paterson and Fitzpatrick all played for the full 90 minutes while Thermeus also got a run out.  Team:
Martin, P Quinn, M Quinn, Fitzpatrick, Kinniburgh, Reynolds (Russell), McGarry, Leitch, Clarkson, Thermeus (Kane), Paterson. 
Subs not used: Alexiou, Connolly, Coakley.

Ricky's report of last week's game against Falkirk is finally available.  Sincere apologies for the delay!