LONG SHOTS
Robbo hails his 10-men Well heroes for digging deep
Stephen Robinson reckons Motherwell’s depleted heroes dug red- card sinner Chris Long out of a big hole.
The Fir Park manager saluted his troops for the Lanarkshire Derby display that earned a point despite the first-half dismissal of their striker.
Long was sent off eight minutes from the break and Robinson was unimpressed that his hitman had left his colleagues in the lurch.
However, the sur v iv ing Steelmen fought for a point that moved them back above Aberdeen into third spot.
Robinson said: “The players have pulled Chris out of the mire. I’m not disappointed with the decision. It’s definitely a red card.
“I’m disappointed with Chris and just want to concentrate on the boys who were good.
“They were excellent. They dug in, pulled him out of the mire and should have had three points.”
Robinson was in no mood to discuss the attacker’s ill discipline. Cautioned earlier in the match for petulant dissent, Long’s needless, late 38th-minute tackle on David Templeton in front of the dugouts brought red from ref Colin Steven.
Asked if Long was upset with himself, the boss said: “I’d like to think so.”
The gaffer chose to reiterate his desire to discuss those who did the job for him as he said: “They were ever so disciplined and gave everything. You saw the reaction of the fans at the end begging us to go and try to win.
“We were positive when down to 10 men. I don’t think Mark Gillespie had a save to make. It’s credit to the boys. We’re back into third place with a chance to go four points clear against St Mirren on Tuesday.”
Hamilton had the best of an opening per iod that was dominated by Long’s red card.
Marios Ogkmpoe could have scored in the opening seconds when put through by a pass from partner David Moyo.
Blair Alston shot over and Moyo collided with a post having narrowly failed to head home Johnny Hunt’s lifted ball across the six-yard box.
After the break, Templeton had various long-range efforts and Scott Martin stabbed wide before a late
Motherwell burst. Alex Gogic made a saving block from Declan Gal la gher, keeper Luke Southwood made an injury-time stop from Liam Polworth and sub Jermaine Hylton volleyed over as the Steelmen pushed to win it.
Robinson said: “I believe the tide has turned. We have boys out there at 80 per cent with injuries and illnesses and it takes a tol l but this shows the character we have got.
“It has been a tough week in terms of the extra time and penalties against St Mirren so we need to make sure that we’re ready to go again after results elsewhere went our way.
“If I’d said six months ago that we’d be sitting third in the last week of February, no-one would have believed me but I believe in this group. They give everything.”