Motherwell 1-1 St Mirren: Theo Bair rescues point for Fir Park side

Match report and free highlights as Motherwell come from behind to draw 1-1 with St Mirren; Marcus Fraser opener the scoring at Fir Park; Theo Bair rescued a point for the hosts

Monday 1 April 2024 00:26, UK

Theo Bair was on target again as Motherwell recovered from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw against St Mirren at Fir Park.

The Canadian international bundled the ball over the line with 16 minutes left to draw the Steelmen level in an entertaining encounter that could have gone either way.

The visitors struck the bar twice before breaking the deadlock when Marcus Fraser took advantage of some poor defending to head home Greg Kiltie's corner after 18 minutes.

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Motherwell's chances of claiming a place in the top-six have all but gone after failing to win for the second successive home fixture, while Saints remain in fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Kilmarnock.

The hosts were quick out of the traps and almost went ahead on four minutes when a wonderful pass from Andy Halliday released Georgie Gent who had his effort turned on to the post.

Bair was quickest to the rebound but he would see his shot blocked and despite pleas from the home players, a short VAR check would deem that the ball had not struck the hand of James Bolton.

Surviving a close scare seemed to jolt the visitors into life and a minute later, Olutoyosi Olusanya outmuscled Gent before being denied by a good stop from Liam Kelly.

The home side had the crossbar to thank twice in the space of 30 seconds as Ryan Strain struck the frame of the goal and Mikael Mandron followed up by heading the rebound inches too high.

St Mirren had a grip on proceedings and would deservedly open the scoring after 18 minutes following poor communication between Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell that led to a softly conceded corner.

Kiltie floated across the resulting set-piece and despite Halliday getting a slight touch on the ball, Fraser was on hand to nod it home at the back-post.

There was an early change for the visitors when Bolton hobbled off to be replaced by Richard Taylor.

Scott Tanser blazed over from a promising position after indecision in the home defence, before Motherwell had a chance of their own as Halliday forced an excellent save from Zach Hemming.

Both Olusanya and Halliday had opportunities in the closing stages of an entertaining first half - and there were chances at both ends following the restart.

Bair was unable to make proper contact with Gent's tantalising delivery which allowed Hemming to gather, while at the other end, Dan Casey was able to divert Olusanya's angled drive away for a corner.

Both sides looked to their bench in order to freshen things up and it almost paid dividends for Stephen Robinson when Keanu Baccus sent a curling effort just wide of the target.

Motherwell would level with 16 minutes remaining as Jack Vale's cross was nodded back across goal by O'Donnell and Bair was in the right place to bundle the ball over the line.

It was all set up for a dramatic conclusion and Mandron dragged a shot inches wide as the visitors almost came up with the perfect response.

Gent had proven to be a constant threat for the Steelmen throughout the afternoon and he almost turned provider again with a dangerous cross that somehow evaded everyone inside the box.

Chances came and went for Blair Spittal and then Mark O'Hara in the final minutes but neither side would be able to come up with a vital winner.

What the managers said

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "Overall, to come to Fir Park and get a point is another point towards our ultimate goal which is top six.

"I thought we should have won the game but when you don't take your chances then you don't.

"The fact we're in the running for the top six two years in a row after such a long absence tells you we are going in the right direction.

"After Kilmarnock, it was important we were hard to break down, hard to beat and we were. The reaction to two weeks ago and the fans' reaction, they stayed with the boys even when they equalised."

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell: "I thought we started really well in the game, we played with a real purpose and we were a real threat down our left-hand side.

"There was a frantic four or five-minute spell, St Mirren hitting the crossbar from a free-kick, we know they've got quality with the guys that surround the ball and even from the follow-up that cannons off the bar as well.

"It probably just rocked us a wee bit leading into the goal we concede. We've got the throw-in, it leads to a corner for then and, fundamentally, we've got to defend it better.

"The most pleasing aspect is not being at our best, not passing as well as what I've seen us do, not connecting key players in the game - we still had that bit of character.

"It still keeps us in the position of trying to get the top six, we find ourselves six points behind and still have Dundee and Hibs to play. It keeps us in the mix, we need a few favours and a few things to drop our way."

What's next?

Motherwell head to Dundee next Saturday, while St Mirren host Hearts.

Both games kick-off at 3pm.

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