By Alex Milligan
There was no hiding the home fans disappointment at the end of a highly competitive match when the visitors scored right at the end of regulation time.
Having taken the lead on 16 minutes and going on to dominate the first 45 minutes, there was nothing to suggest at the end of the opening half that Kilmarnock wouldn’t secure all three valuable points.
But the visitors were more of a threat after the break, and it took a top class display by goalkeeper Sam Walker to keep them at bay until their late equaliser.
Killie boss Derek McInnes said: “It’s always a sore one when you’re 1-0 up and we’ve been guilty of not taking opportunities to put games to bed.
“We’ve managed the game really well until the last five minutes.
“We were guilty of a bit of naivety in giving away one too many fouls in the dying embers of it.
“All that did was give Motherwell opportunities. Slattery has a lot to do but that moment of quality
has earned them their point and taken two away from us.
“But I’m happy with how we dealt with the game.
“The players set about the task really well. I take comfort from that level of performance.
“We’re going to have to deal with more games like that but when the heat comes on you in the last five minutes and you’re only one up it’s important to deal with what’s in front of you.”
Following a scrappy opening period, the Rugby Park side began to offer a threat in attack, with Danny Armstrong causing the Motherwell defence all sorts of problems.
There were a couple of decent opportunities to take the lead before Scott Robinson eventually found the back of the net in the 16th minute.
The goal followed a Liam Polworth corner from the right which was partially cleared before Robinson was first to react and force the ball over the line.
Killie almost doubled their lead 10 minutes later following another corner, but this time the ball was scrambled clear by the Motherwell defence.
Although Derek McInnes’ side went in at the interval in the lead, the main talking point among the fans was the woeful performance of referee Alan Muir, surely due a visit to the officials’ sponsors, Specsavers!
Motherwell are probably the most physical team in the Premiership, but their pushing, shoving and jersey pulling – striker Jonathon Obika the main offender – went largely unpunished.
The referee began the second half as he’d left off, and how Calum Butcher escaped having a foul awarded against him when he hauled down Robinson when he raced clear beggars belief.
Walker denied the Fir Park side from drawing level just before the hour mark when he pulled off a terrific stop from Dean Cornelius after a mix-up in the home defence had allowed him a free run at goal.
As Motherwell pushed more and more men into attack, Walker was called upon twice in a matter of minutes to deny the visitors.
It was backs to the wall stuff for Killie as the pressure mounted, and the breakthrough for the equalising goal came in the 90th minute when Rory McKenzie was penalised for a foul 30 yards from goal.
Substitute Callum Slattery pitched his shot perfectly and it sailed above the defensive line-up past the despairing hands of Walker.
No wonder the visiting fans behind the goal were on their feet – in complete contrast to the mood of the home support who had come within a couple of minutes of lifting all three points.
The disappointment was tempered somewhat with the demolition of bottom club Dundee United in Dingwall, but at the end of the day it will be all about what Killie do themselves and not rely on other teams to stave off a return to Championship football.
Read next:
- Exhausted mum who knew 'something wasn't right' diagnosed with stage 4 cancer
- Extreme sadness as 'lack of support' blamed for Ayrshire golf club's sudden closure
- Man fighting for life after car hits him while helping friends on A77
- Fuming neighbours brand Brig o' Doon plans a 'preposterous monstrosity' as owners defend £2m proposals
- Fire at iconic Ayrshire Irish pub as crews rush to blaze in Prestwick town centre
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
