9.20pm

Today's result: Motherwell 1, Celtic 2.

Alas, we didn't get the result our superb performance deserved against title chasing Celtic at Fir Park this afternoon.  Despite taking the lead in the second half, our continued inability to defend crosses into the box, coupled with some unbelievably poor refereeing, cost us dear.

There were a number of changes to the side, most notably the introduction of Luke Daniels in favour of Graeme Smith between the sticks.  Out also went Quinn, Lappin, Hughes and McCormack, to be replaced by McLean, Fitzpatrick, Lasley and Darren Smith.

Right from the off, it soon became clear there was little danger of a repeat of the 4-1 hammering Celtic handed out on their last visit a few weeks ago, with Motherwell's high-tempo pressing game preventing the visitors from getting a grip of the match.  However, despite Motherwell forcing a series of corners, there were few goalmouth incidents in the opening 45 mins.  Our best effort was probably a low drive from Fitzpatrick which caused no real problem for Boruc in the Celtic goal.

Motherwell continued to have the upper hand after the break, and we deservedly went 1-0 up when Porter headed home a McLean cross on the hour mark.  Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to build on our lead as Celtic equalised almost immediately through a header from probably the smallest man on the pitch, Scott McDonald (spit!)  The visitors took the lead in controversial circumstances after 78 mins when the referee awarded a corner despite the ball clearly coming off Bobo Balde last.  Although the decision was incorrect, we should still have defended the set piece better instead of giving Samaras a free header to put Celtic in front.  We pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages and forced another series of corners, but the visitors held on for a rather underserved three points.

Must admit I thought we could be in for a doing today, especially when I heard the starting eleven, but I have to say we were absolutely immense and deserved at least a point.  Apart from the debutant Daniels, who flapped at a couple of crosses and looked nervy throughout, everyone else in claret and amber was outstanding, particularly Lasley, Porter, Reynolds and Brian McLean, who had possibly his best game in a Motherwell jersey and soon made everyone forget about Paul Quinn.  If only we could learn to defend crosses into the box we'd be a stick on for 3rd place, but as it stands it's still all to play for, and Wednesday's trip to Ibrox is followed by a must win game against Aberdeen at Fir Park next Saturday.

Team (4-4-2): Daniels, Brian McLean, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Darren Smith (McCormack 74), Malcolm, Fitzpatrick, Lasley (Murphy 86), Porter, Clarkson (Hughes 81). 
Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Meechan, Lappin, McGarry.

Motherwell scorer: Porter (60).

Booked: Malcolm.

Attendance: 9,158.

Mark McGhee's post-match comments were as follows:
"We didn't get many decisions. The boys are very aggrieved and didn't think it was a corner.  We didn't defend very well at either goal but we feel very disappointed - in fact, let down.   The team we put out was all about shape and it was a terrific performance from my players.  We looked like a good, well-organised, disciplined team.  We know our weakness and we know what we have to address in the summer.  We need to get better at defending, particularly at set-pieces." 

With Rangers qualifying for the UEFA Cup final, our remaining fixtures now look like this:

Wed May 7, 7.45pm -  Rangers (A)
Sat May 10, 3pm - Aberdeen (H) - also the day of Diver's wedding! :(
Sat May 17, 12.30pm - Rangers (H)
Thu May 22, 7.45pm - Hibernian (A)

Means we're facing Rangers 3 days after the UEFA Final and Hibs 12 days after they last played a competitive match.

It seems our esteemed captain has been in bother again.  Paul Quinn will miss the rest of the season after having his jaw broken in an incident at Baker Street nightclub in Wishaw last Saturday night.  Ok, so he might have been the innocent party this time round, but what's he doing in a place like that at 2.30am when he's got a court case hanging over his head?

Understandably, Mark McGhee feels that Quinn has "let us down".  Read his comments in full at the BBC Website.

More details have been announced regarding the Phil O'Donnell tribute match at Parkhead on Sunday, May 25.  The likes of Stevie Kirk, Dougie Arnott, Tom Boyd, Jim Griffin, Chris McCart and Craig Paterson will feature for Motherwell, while Henrik Larsson will play for Celtic.  Details available from the Official Site, although to be honest I think I'll be giving this one a miss...

The reserves were thrashed 5-1 by their Hibs counterparts at Almondvale in midweek, with Ross Forbes on target for the Steelmen's second eleven.  Team:
Coutts, Murray, Wilson (Martin 84), Gupwell, Nixon, Hutchinson (Slane 46), McPake (Fallon 46), Meechan, Forbes, McHugh, Maguire.
Sub Not Used: Hyslop