’Well slump to another defeat
A goal in each half from Liam Craig was enough to give St Johnstone a valuable win at Fir Park on Saturday, writes Graham Barnstaple.
Scott Mcdonald equalised just before half-time, the hosts were denied at least one penalty, and Ryan Bowman hit the inside of the post with the last touch of the ball but Saints held on for the points.
New manager Stephen Robinson felt there were grounds for optimism and said:“in terms of the desire and commitment, we can’t really ask for any more. We created numerous opportunities, and one penalty that was incredible that it wasn’t given, on Chris Cadden. There was another debatable one on Scott Mcdonald, but it just didn’t go for us.
“That’s the intensity we are looking for in the rest of the season, and if we show that and the quality we showed, I am comfortable about where we are.
“We were the better team against a side that is pushing into the top four and have continually done that. We will win more games than we lose if we show that commitment.”
Motherwell fell a goal behind in eight minutes when Graham Cummins picked out Craig at the back post with a free header which he bulleted past Craig Samson.
Mcdonald appeared to be hauled to the ground by Brian Easton but referee Greg Aitken saw nothing amiss and shortly afterwards Samson had to turn a Cummins shot over.
Mcdonald missed an open goal from close range, but atoned a minute before the end when he turned a deflected Craig Clay shot past Zander Clark.
Sub keeper Alan Mannus kept Saints in it with saves from Zak Jules and Louis Moult, and Saints capitalised on that in 66 minutes when Steven Mclean picked out Craig and he blasted past Samson. Craig was denied a hat-trick when he volleyed a Cummins cross over.