Boss: Gillespie was ‘Well hero
Robinson heaps praise on penalty save star Mark
Mark Gillespie was Motherwell’s hero as the goalkeeper saved a spot-kick in the win over St Johnstone.
Gillespie’s stellar stop from a Scott Tanser penalty plus several other decent saves won the game for a wasteful Motherwell.
The Steelmen should have been out of sight by half-time with big misses from Devante Cole and Declan Gallagher.
Cole responded by scoring from a corner at the end of the first period – and then it was over to the keeper to ensure Well got over the line in a scrappy away win.
Steelmen boss Stephen Robinson said: “We ground it out and we’ve played a lot better than that. We showed real character.
“This is a tough place to go to and we were well-drilled, well-organised and hard to break down.
“We’re pleased with the three points and it’s no coincidence we’ve had three away games and three wins.
“The penalty save was a huge turning point. Mark Gillespie was outstanding all day.
“He came for crosses, had some other really good saves as well and that was the turning point that won us the game.
“We should have won the game long before that. Devante had a great chance which he showed super character to react to his miss and get the winning goal.
“I’ve missed one like that myself so it know what it’s like. He had a few minutes of feeling sorry for himself then he showed great character to come back from that.
“We could have scored even more without even playing well so I’m delighted with that.”
Liam Donnelly was sent off late in added time for an apparent off-ball stamp on Chris Kane but Robinson insists it was purely accidental.
He added: “I’ve seen it back and I can see why he’s been sent off. His momentum took him and he landed on top of him.
“I don’t think there’s any malice but I can see why the decision was made.”
The game’s first chance after 15 minutes should have been the game’s first goal.
James Scott tore past Tanser on the right and his pass across goal was begging to be smashed into the St Johnstone net.
But Cole somehow managed to put it over the bar from two yards out.
That put the Saints’ tails up as Tommy Wright’s team showed a little more attacking threat.
Tanser came close from a cheeky free-kick that looked like it might have caught out Gillespie on the keeper’s side but he was wise to it.
Saints then had a penalty shout as Stevie May fell under pressure from Declan Gallagher in the box but whistler Gavin Duncan was uninterested.
Then another great chance came and went for the Steelmen when Liam
Polworth’s floated free-kick was headed wide by Gallagher.
But in 42 minutes, both he and Cole made up for their previous errors.
A Polworth corner swung in from the left was headed across goal by Gallagher and this time Cole finished the job from close in.
It was a soft goal to concede for the Perth team but it was no surprise to see the Steelmen finally take the lead.
The Saints were incredibly fortunate to be only one goal down at the break.
But then it was Motherwell’s turn to get a bit of luck in 55 minutes. Murray Davidson was hauled down in the area as he went up for a header.
Left-back Tanser – who had been impressive going forward until this point – was given the responsibility from 12 yards but keeper Gillespie made a brilliant stop.
In the final minute of added time Donnelly was red carded for the off-ball incident – but Gillespie claimed the ball from the free-kick to complete a match-winning performance.