JORDY HIWULA made an instant impact after clambering off the bench to score a crucial equaliser as Ross County came from behind to salvage a point at Fir Park.
Both Motherwell and the Staggies were desperate for a victory – the hosts hadn’t won in seven matches going into this encounter, while Malky Mackay’s men hadn’t won in six – but both teams had to settle for a point that suited neither of the relegation-threatened clubs.
Here are three things we learned on a wet and windy afternoon in Lanarkshire.
OUT-OF-FORM SIDES STRUGGLE TO GET GOING
Given the two teams’ recent travails – coupled with the atrocious conditions – it was perhaps no surprise that both sides were a little slow out of the traps.
A goalless first half was punctuated by the occasional half-chance for either side but in truth, neither Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly nor his counterpart Ross Laidlaw had any particularly challenging saves to make. Stuart McKinstry was lively from the off and looked like his side’s most likely route to goal but even he couldn’t truly threaten the County goal.
The visitors fared the better of the two sides during the opening 45 minutes. Owura Edwards was a tireless and willing runner, constantly looking to get in behind the home side’s defence and stretch the play, while Yan Dhanda looked threatening in the final third. Still, clear-cut chances were few and far between.
McKINSTRY PROVIDES MOMENT OF QUALITY
McKinstry was his team’s most impressive performer on the day and the winger broke the deadlock on 68 minutes with a well-taken and richly deserved goal. Driving forward from midfield, the Leeds United loanee played a clever one-two with Kevin van Veen that left the 20-year-old bearing down on Laidlaw and his venomous shot was too powerful for the County keeper to repel.
“He did what we asked,” said ’Well manager Stephen Hammell. “We wanted him to be a threat, we wanted him on the front foot and getting forward.
“I think he did that. He contributed a goal, could have scored another and was a real threat. I think there’s a lot more to come from him.”
A chorus of boos rang out around Fir Park when the full-time whistle was blown and Hammell admits that he understands the disgruntled supporters’ frustration.
“Absolutely,” Hammell added. “The game played the way we thought it would. We got ourselves in front, scored a good goal and the freshness of the new players coming in helped.
“We got ourselves in a position we would have been happy with before the game and it then becomes about seeing it through and being professional. Unfortunately we weren’t able to do that.”
COUNTY IN DANGER OF BEING CUT ADRIFT
Motherwell looked fairly comfortable after taking the lead and it looked as though Hammell’s men would hold on for a crucial three points until a momentary lapse cost them dearly.
Hiwula was brought on as County took a throw-in near the halfway line that was flicked on by Jordan White. An inviting chasm had opened up in the heart of the Motherwell defence and Hiwula took full advantage as he scarpered in on goal and coolly slotting the ball home within seconds of entering the fray as a substitute.
The strike ended a 508-minute goal drought for County – who are now three points adrift at the foot of the table – but Mackay is convinced that his players have shown they are good enough to beat the drop.
“I’m disappointed not to get three points but in another sense we’ve come away from home, gone a goal down but come back and got a point,” Mackay observed.
“A team, considering where we are, that has that fight and will to want to go forward and beat teams away from home leaves me with a good thought concerning my players right now and the situation we are in.
“I’ve a group in there who are disappointed they didn’t win. That’s not a team that are destined to go down.”
