Moult double strike earns salute from the boss

MOTHERWELL finally got their Betfred Cup Group F campaign up and running as Louis Moult’s double helped to defeat League Two side Annan Athletic at Galabank.

The striker, who will undergo an operation on his groin on Tuesday, came up with the goods when it mattered as the Premiership team recovered from being pegged back by the part-timers.

Man-of-the-match Marvin Johnson’s first-half strike for the Steelmen was cancelled out by Rabin Omar’s header on the stroke of half-time. But Mark McGhee’s side showed their quality as Johnson set up Moult to bag a second-half brace.

‘It was a professional performance,’ said the Motherwell manager. ‘It was always going to be tricky.

‘It was disappointing to concede the goal before half-time but we improved in the second half.’

Reflecting on Moult’s display, McGhee added: ‘It shows how important Louis is to us. He is delighted to get off the mark before he goes in for his operation. It puts him in a positive frame of mind.

‘He should come back quickly but we still expect him to miss four league games.’

After a busy week when he finally committed to another year at Fir Park rather than returning home to Australia, Scott McDonald was ruled out with a muscle strain in training.

Former Swansea City midfielder Lee Lucas, who has signed a short-term deal, was thrown into the action.

Johnson fired the visitors ahead on 16 minutes. He received a throw-in from Steven Hammell on the left, spun away from his marker and fired a superb half-volley into the net.

Lucas suffered a blow 10 minutes before the break when he was substituted after picking up a knock.

Annan, who were yet to threaten, suddenly rallied and equalised on the stroke of half-time. Tony Ribeiro crossed from the left and Omar headed home.

But two goals in two minutes put the visitors back in control in the second half.

Johnson delivered from the right and Moult chested the ball into the net from close range to make it 2-1 on 61 minutes.

Then Johnson played a great ball through to Moult, who had time to slot the ball into the far corner.

‘Marvin was the big difference between the teams,’ admitted McGhee.

Annan boss Jim Chapman said: ‘We have made basic errors in our decision making.

‘We are disappointed with the goals we lost.’