Motherwell 2-0 Saints

Last updated : 23 January 2010 By Stuart Gillespie

We created hardly any chances, never got out of first gear and can have no complaints. John Ruddy had hardly anything to do in the Motherwell goal and, while the pitch was poor, it did not play a part in our defeat.

Considering we were playing on mud with the odd blade of grass we should perhaps have started Michael Higdon and Billy Mehmet, but the only changes to the team were Steven Robb and Garry Brady replacing David Barron and Stephen O'Donnell.

The first half was pretty boring, Sutton trying to score a couple of long range efforts at the end where he scored a famous winner for us in 2007. One of those shots hit the bar, although it looked as if Paul Gallacher might have been able to tip it over if it was sneaking in. A rare chance for us saw Hugh Murray run onto a loose ball before volleying wide.

The second half promised to be a bit better in terms of entertainment, if not a Saints performance. Murphy pulled a shot wide and Billy Mehmet headed wide before Motherwell manage to score in a move that started with one of our free-kicks. As happens so often we messed it up, Motherwell broke and won a free-kick around the centre circle. It was fired into the box, Sutton flicked it down and Murphy rattled it home.

That was as good as game over as there never looked like being a Saints equalise, despite Higdon coming on for Brady. It made sod all difference and Sutton wrapped things up when he finished off a good move by turning and shooting past Gallacher.

A dismal performance, just like the other SPL games in 2010. Although we've won two of them, we've created hardly any chances and have had to rely on set pieces for our goals - a bit ironic considering we're usually mince at them.

Still, not to worry - only Rangers next!