In-formstrikercancelsoutFrasergoalbut Paisleymenjustawinfromtop-sixfinish
St Mirren’s top-six confirmation party was postponed for at least one more week after Motherwell delivered a second half sucker punch.
Marcus Fraser’s first goal in two-and-a-half years had the Buddies on course for a guaranteed top-half Premiership finish with Hibernian losing to Rangers at Ibrox.
However, in-form hitman Theo Bair’s 12th goal of the season rescued a share of the spoils and denied Saints.
The Buddies know a win at home to third-placed Hearts next weekend will seal backto-back top-six finishes.
Indeed, one more point from their final two games against the Jambos and Celtic may be enough if Hibs fail to overturn the goal difference.
Saints boss Stephen Robinson made three changes to the team which started the 5-2 defeat to Kilmarnock before the international break.
James BoltÏon, Ryan Strain – back for the first time since November – and Toyosi Olusanya all started in place of Charles Dunne, Ryan Flynn and Conor McMenamin.
For Motherwell, there were four alterations to the side which controversially lost 1-0 to Aberdeen.
Adam Devine, Davor Zdravkovski, Andy Halliday and Georgie Gent replaced Bevis Mugabi, Shane Blaney, Sam Nicholson and Lennon Miller.
The Steelmen made a bright start beneath the Easter sunshine at Fir Park with Georgie Gent causing plenty of problems down Saints’ right flank.
He ran onto a terrific pass from Halliday with his shot striking the near post.
At the other end, Olusanya had an effort blocked by Liam Kelly with Strain’s follow-up deflecting gently into the keeper’s grasp.
The Buddies then found their luck well and truly out when they threatened from a set-piece.
Strain’s delightful freekick over the wall clipped the bar with Mikael Mandron’s rebound also rattling the woodwork.
Frustrations would be eased in the 18th minute, however, as Saints surged into the lead thanks to an unlikely source.
Greg Kiltie’s corner was missed by Halliday with Fraser instinctively reacting and guiding the ball into the back of the net.
After the incredible events at Rugby Park, there was no doubting that goal would provide some reassurance to the black-and-white army who had travelled to North Lanarkshire.
And it was another assist for Kiltie’s stats column following his two set-ups at Kilmarnock.
But gaffer Robinson was forced to make a switch in the 29th minute after Bolton broke down with Richard Taylor sent on.
Motherwell carved out chances in a bid to get back on level terms with a Halliday effort whizzing over the bar.
The Paisley outfit made it to the interval with their lead intact with the half-time whistle bringing a crescendo of boos from the Steelmen support.
Robinson made another change just before the second half got underway with Australian wingback Strain coming off for
Ugandan international Elvis Bwomono.
Saints appeared to be well in control of proceedings with Scott Tanser – who scored the winner when the sides last met at Fir Park in September – striding forward full of intent and firing a long-distance strike over the bar. Olusanya also went close after finding space.
The only constant with the Buddies line-up seemed to be change as boss Robinson elected to introduce two more players from his bench on the hour mark.
Keanu Baccus, fresh from scoring his first international goal for Australia, and
McMenamin came on for Caolan Boyd-Munce and Olusanya.
‘Well, in dire need of some inspiration, shook things up four minutes later with Mugabi and Miller replacing Devine and Halliday.
Baccus almost made an immediate impact with a low shot which crept past Kelly’s left-hand post.
However, disaster struck for Saints in the 74th minute as ‘Well plundered an equaliser.
Vale was given time and space to stand up a cross which was nodded towards goal by Stephen O’Donnell with Bair sliding in to stab home from close range.
Mandron attempted to provide an instant riposte but dragged wide a low shot from distance.
That was to be his last act with Robinson handing Jonah Ayunga, who won his first cap for Kenya last week, a chance to make a difference in the 78th minute.
In the closing minutes, ‘Well made their final changes of the afternoon with Nicholson and Blaney brought on for Vale and O’Donnell.
There were five minutes added-on time with Saints awarded a free-kick in the last of them to increase the sense of anticipation.
Wing-back Tanser stepped up but curled wide as the Buddies had to settle for what could yet prove to be a vital point when the dust settles on the pre-split fixtures in two weeks’ time.
HOW THEY LINED UP...
MOTHERWELL (3-4-1-2)
Kelly; O’Donnell (Blaney 87), McGinn, Casey; Devine (Mugabi 64), Zdravkovski, Halliday (Miller 64), Gent; Spittal; Vale (Nicholson 84), Bair.
Subs (not used): Oxborough(gk), Shaw, Moses, Ross, Butcher. ST MIRREN (3-4-3)
Hemming; Bolton (Taylor 29), Gogic, Fraser; Strain (Bwomono 46), Boyd-Munce (Baccus 60), O’Hara, Tanser; Olusanya (McMenamin 60), Kiltie, Mandron (Ayunga 78). Subs (not used): Urminsky(gk), Scott, Kwon, Dunne.
BOOKINGS
Olusanya was booked for Saints with‘Well’s Vale also yellow-carded.
FOR THE RECORD
For a large chunk of Saturday afternoon, Saints had a place in the top six booked as they led Motherwell while Hibs lost to Rangers.
But they were unable to hold out and the nature of Motherwell’s equaliser will perhaps be the cause of some frustration when the Buddies reconvene at Ralston as they prepare for Hearts visit.
STAR SAINT
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