Match ends, Motherwell 1, Ross County 1.
MotherwellMotherwell1Ross CountyRoss County1
Motherwell needed a last-gasp strike to rescue a point against an impressive Ross County side in the Scottish Premiership.
The visitors led through Michael Gardyne's first-half goal and were impressive throughout.
Motherwell looked sharper after Theo Robinson and Marvin Johnson came off the bench.
The latter created the equaliser for Louis Moult, as the home side's urgency eventually paid off.
County had to rely on their endeavour at first. Motherwell were intent on establishing their authority early on, and the visitors worked hard to make their own mark on the game.
That started with a period of strong defending, since they prevented Motherwell breaking beyond the back line.
Moult struck twice from long range - volleying wide then drawing a good save from Scott Fox - but that was the closest they could come to troubling the Ross County goalkeeper.
County took hold of the game in midfield, with the central pairing of Jackson Irvine and Rocco Quinn delivering plenty of industry and hard running. The entire side was driven on by the sharp-edge instructions hollered from the touchline by manager Jim McIntyre.
He was a hard taskmaster but the reward came when Jamie Reckord swung a free-kick into the penalty area. The Motherwell defenders failed to clear and, as the ball bobbled around the box, Gardyne pounced to steer a shot past home goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
Creativity was a rare commodity and the second half was characterised by sweat and toil, yet little penetration. Irvine asked a question of Ripley with a shot struck on the half-volley from 25 yards, but the goalkeeper saved.
As Motherwell desperately sought an equaliser, substitutes Johnson and Robinson became prominent. The former sliced an effort into the side netting, while the latter spun and shot from the edge of the box, Fox saving both times.
Motherwell gradually became more assertive as County tried to see the game out.
The hosts' leveller came after captain Keith Lasley sent Johnson scampering down the left. The winger was composed enough to deliver across the face of the goal for Moult to convert from close range.
Relief at the end for Motherwell and frustration for Ross County.
Line-ups
Motherwell
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Ripley
- 18LawSubstituted forGrimshawat 85'minutes
- 5Laing
- 6McManus
- 3Hammell
- 7Ainsworth
- 14Lasley
- 25Taylor
- 23ThomasSubstituted forJohnsonat 60'minutes
- 77McDonaldSubstituted forRobinsonat 46'minutes
- 20Moult
Substitutes
- 4Grimshaw
- 11Johnson
- 12Twardzik
- 15Chalmers
- 16Kennedy
- 17Robinson
- 19Clarkson
Ross County
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Fox
- 2Fraser
- 6Robertson
- 15Davies
- 3ReckordBooked at 57mins
- 17FranksSubstituted forGrahamat 82'minutes
- 36Irvine
- 4QuinnBooked at 68minsSubstituted forWoodsat 72'minutes
- 7Gardyne
- 24De VitaSubstituted forFosterat 65'minutesBooked at 80mins
- 10Boyce
Substitutes
- 5Boyd
- 8McShane
- 9Graham
- 12Foster
- 19Dingwall
- 21Woods
- 26Woods
- Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Attendance:
- 3,545
Match Stats
Home TeamMotherwellAway TeamRoss County
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home9
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away6
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 1, Ross County 1.
Post update
Michael Gardyne (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Marvin Johnson (Motherwell).
Goal!
Goal! Motherwell 1, Ross County 1. Louis Moult (Motherwell) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marvin Johnson.
Post update
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Liam Boyce.
Post update
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Chris Robertson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Liam Boyce (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Marvin Johnson (Motherwell) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Michael Gardyne (Ross County).
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Liam Grimshaw replaces Josh Law.
Post update
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Andrew Davies.
Post update
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Richard Foster.
Post update
Foul by Louis Laing (Motherwell).
Post update
Brian Graham (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Brian Graham replaces Jonathan Franks.
Booking
Richard Foster (Ross County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Jake Taylor (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Richard Foster (Ross County).
Post update
Foul by Jake Taylor (Motherwell).
