Steelmen back into third spot

Motherwell moved into third place in the Premiership with an unconvincing 2-1 win against 10-man Kilmarnock.

Killie were without both centre-backs from their recent resurgence under Angelo Alessio through injury and they lost another after 13 minutes.

Alex Bruce was adjudged to have fouled Christopher Long as he raced through and referee Don Robertson quickly brandished a red card as the Killie defender was last man, but replays showed it was a perfectly-timed challenge.

It turned into a nightmare couple of minutes for the visitors as, from the resulting free-kick, Liam Donnelly scored his ninth goal in 13 appearances.

Kilmarnock reshuffled their pack, moving captain Gary Dicker into central defence, and they defended resolutely before shocking the hosts as they equalised on the half-hour mark.

After Stephen O’donnell was fouled, Dom Thomas whipped in a brilliant left-footed ball that evaded everybody in a congested area and nestled in the bottom corner.

Motherwell deservedly went ahead again through Devante Cole in the 57th minute.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Gallagher, Hartley, Carroll, Donnelly, Campbell, Polworth, Hylton (Seedorf 73), Long, Cole (Scott 77). Subs not used: Carson, Tait, Maguire, Ilic, Mugabi.

Kilmarnock: Branescu, O’donnell, Johnson, Bruce, Hamalainen, Dicker, Power, Mckenzie (Burke 84), El Makrini, Thomas (Millar 70), Jackson (Brophy 66). Subs not used: St Clair, Koprivec, Wilson, Del Fabro.

Devante Cole celebrates his winner for Motherwell.