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10.30pm

Motherwell and Dunfermline fought out an exciting 2-2 draw at Fir Park this evening, with the 'Well coming back from two goals down at half time to equalise in the final minute of injury time.  A draw was the least we deserved from a match we dominated for long periods but was blighted by a couple of defensive howlers reminiscent of last season.

Our usual starting eleven took to the field, and we looked the better team in the early stages and forced a series of corner kicks.  It was completely against the run of play when the Pars took the lead after 14 mins, with a goal that could easily have been avoided.  The ball bounced around the six yard box and as the defenders and goalkeeper hesitated, Crawford blasted high into the roof of the net.  We shot ourselves in the foot again after 38 mins when Craigan was woefully short with a chested back-pass (at least I think that's what he was trying), and when Crawford nipped in to hit the post Brewster followed up to give the visitors a 2-0 interval lead.

The second half was all Motherwell as the Pars seemed content to get everyone behind the ball and hold on to their lead.  We enjoyed long spells of possession with Gordon Marshall a virtual spectator at times, however we weren't really creating much upfront and it took a spot of luck to bring us back into the game.  Dunfermline midfielder Nicholson slipped at a vital moment which allowed Stephen Pearson a clear sight of goal, and he fired a low shot past Stillie from the edge of the box.  For the last 20 mins we laid siege to the Dunfermline penalty box, however it looked like we would come away from the match empty handed until Martyn Corrigan headed a Hammell cross past Stillie in the third minute of injury time to send Fir Park wild!

The first half of this game was a throwback to last season, with our defence gifting the opposition a couple of goals of a start and our central midfield of Adams and Leitch being overrun.  Still, we got our act together after the break and deservedly pulled the two goals back, although if I was a Dunfermline fan I'd be a bit disappointed at my team's tactics.  Still, it's difficult to criticise when you consider that we are now 7 games unbeaten, still 4th in the league and now have a surely unassailable 18 point gap over Partick Thistle.

Team (4-4-2): Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Partridge, Hammell, Lasley, Leitch (Dair 48), Adams, Pearson, Craig (Burns 59), Clarkson. 
Subs Not Used: Corr, Quinn, Fagan.

Crowd: 4,220

Terry Butcher's post-match comments were as follows:
"It felt like a victory for us.  Just before we got the goal, I was rehearsing my speech to say that we had deserved something for our second-half performance.  I'm delighted with the players' attitude and character and their never-say-die spirit.

"At 2-0 down we had played poorly - but we rejigged it at half-time and attacked them more.  For Martyn of all people to score was a fantastic feeling.

"A year ago we would have gone on to lose three or four goals - but there is a belief this season that we can get back into the game."

The club finally look set to emerge from administration early in the new year.  Bryan Jackson was quoted as saying today:
"I have got a proposal for the creditors which will go out this week and, hopefully, will be followed by a creditors' meeting in December.  That will, hopefully, ratify the proposal which is a dividend to creditors.  If the majority accept, Motherwell will be out of administration in January or February."

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