Maciver off the bench to spark Well

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a game-changing contribution. After controlling a high ball 25 yards out, he turned with instinctive venom to fire high into the net.

Then, sickeningly for the hosts in the dying seconds of stoppage time, Scotland international Declan Gallagher, pictured, finished the job with a headed winner.

“People get released for all kind of reasons and maybe Ross wasn’t quite good enough at that time,” Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson said, after his team’s recovery enabled them to retain their spot in the third European place.

“Maybe Ross wasn’t quite what Ross County were after. We needed that type of young striker we could develop – and he has. He has got the bit between his teeth, tried to pick strikers off and force his way into the team with a great attitude – and he got a lot of rewards today. It’s a lesson for all young players that, if you get released, it’s not necessarily the end of the world. Ross has certainly shown a great attitude and appetite.”

The only black spot for Well was the away fans’ behaviour in unsavoury scenes, spilling on to the park after the winner and fighting with stewards after the final whistle.

The Fir Park side began with confidence and energy but it was County who went in front after 24 minutes, Spittal making a towering leap eight yards out to send a bullet header crashing home.

It stayed lively in the second half, but neither side could gain the upper hand before County’s Spence terminated Sherwin Seedorf’s charge at goal with a trip that earned a straight red card.

The one-man disadvantage changed the flow of the game, although Motherwell’s assault appeared to be petering out before young Maciver made his entrance.

Taking a high ball at least 25 yards out, the ex-county striker turned and rocketed a shot high beyond the reach of Nathan Baxter. Even then, County felt they had a draw until the final seconds.

Then came Gallagher’s moment at the death – and County were left flat out on the Boxing Day canvas.