Tale of two penalties as Rangers peg back Steelmen
Well drop points after a controversial decision
Motherwell ................... 2 Rangers ........................ 2
Ben Ramage at Fir Park Motherwell’s pursuit of the top six suffered a painful blow after they threw away a two-goal lead against Rangers.
After a totally dominant first- half performance, the Steelmen’s cushion from Curtis Main’s penalty and Allan Campbell’s cool finish was eaten into after referee Nick Walsh deemed Elliot Frear had gone through the back of James Tavernier, with replays showing he took the ball first.
The Gers captain rolled home the penalty, before former Fir Park favourite Jamie Murphy ended a trademark mazy run with an impressive strike from the edge of the area.
The hosts were looking for their first league victory over Rangers in 15 years, and set up with Scotland Under- 21 internationals Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell in the centre of midfield alongside captain Carl McHugh.
The bustling duo were key to Motherwell’s high-tempo start, which saw Main have Well’s first chance with a close-range strike that was easily held by Wes Foderingham.
Just inside 10 minutes, good link-up play between Main and Cadden led to the opener, with Scotland international Russell Martin clumsily throwing a leg out to bring Cadden down inside the penalty box.
Main stepped up confidently and slammed home to silence the travelling fans behind the goal.
As Gers tried to strike back, Alfredo Morelos picked up a booking for remonstrating with Walsh for what he thought was a bad foul.