Steelmen shut up shop to leave County toiling

SCOTTISH CUP finalists Motherwell notched their 18th clean sheet of the campaign — one short of a new club record — to damage Ross County’s desperate fight for Premiership survival.

Wins for Dundee and Partick yesterday added to the home side’s frustration after they slipped below Thistle into bottom spot in the table.

But County at least had the satisfaction of drawing closer to Hamilton — 2-1 losers at Firhill — as the scrap at the bottom intensified with four matches remaining.

Accies’ defeat means that the Staggies have narrowed the gap on their rivals to just three points ahead of Saturday’s live TV showdown at New Douglas Park.

And after taking five points from a three-match unbeaten run prior to yesterday’s loss, they will feel they have a psychological edge for a match that could ultimately decide the fate of these two clubs.

Motherwell, winless for six Premiership games and without a goal in five of them, will feel they should have taken all three points.

But their failure to replicate the standard of finishing that destroyed Aberdeen seven days earlier in the Scottish Cup semi-final cost them the chance to put their Premiership future beyond doubt.

County also had Scott Fox to thank for an outstanding reflex save that denied Curtis Main a 66th-minute winner.

Motherwell began with an intensity that suggested County would have to be on their toes to counter the threat posed by twin strikers Main and Ryan Bowman.

But they were unable to test their opponents beyond a speculative long-range shot from Andy Rose that was saved by Fox.

County, though, were more menacing once they got into their stride and Chris Routis forced a save from Trevor Carson before heading a second attempt wide.

Routis damaged his calf in the attempt when Cedric Kipre made contact and hobbled off to be replaced by Jason Naismith after 18 minutes.

Motherwell also had to make a change midway through the first half, replacing Rose with Carl McHugh after the midfielder had sustained a suspected broken collar bone. The injury has cast a shadow over Rose’s hopes of facing Celtic in next month’s cup final, but Motherwell will wait to discover the full extent of the damage.

Carson had to react quickly to smother the ball at Alex Schalk’s feet after the Dutchman had been set up by Billy Mckay.

Motherwell’s style of football may not be pleasing on the eye, but they are effective in denying the opposition space and time to play.

As a result, County were unable to build the necessary momentum to establish a sustained period of pressure.

Brawn rather than brain was the order of the day and the physical nature of the encounter was highlighted by constant stoppages to allow injuries to be treated.

There were also moments of drama, however, and Max Melbourne’s goal-line clearance from McHugh’s header in the 61st minute was one such saving grace.

Fox’s outstanding reflex stop to deny Bowman five minutes later was another as Motherwell sought a winner.

Main also flashed a header wide but the match never had a chance to develop any real flow due to an endless number of fouls disrupting play.

While not atoning for what had gone before, at least the last few minutes were exciting enough.

Main looked poised to score with five minutes remaining when he broke free of his marker and space opened up. But despite having time to pick his spot, the striker sent his short from 18 yards a foot of Fox’s far post.

Schalk then had a chance to snatch the points moments later when his tenacity provided him with an opening, but the Dutchman shot over.

Cadden found himself in a similar situation with two minutes left, but he also missed the target.

While Motherwell’s sights are fixed on cup glory, there was no hint in the performance that they have taken their foot off the pedal in the wake of their impressive three-goal demolition of the Dons.

There was no suggestion either that the County players are losing heart, albeit they are in danger of running out of time in their quest to ensure Highland representation in the top flight again next season.