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Motherwell suffered a European exit at the hands of Hapoel Beer-Sheva at the third qualifying round stage.

Goals from Miguel Vitor, Joseu and Elton-Ofoi Acolatse did the damage in a 3-0 win, with Declan Gallagher seeing red in the incident which gave the Israelis a penalty to go two up.

But the Steelmen were more than a match for their illustrious opposition for the most part in humid conditions and, on a different night, would have seen their chances pay.

On a humid evening in Petah Tikva, Motherwell started brightly, finding joy on the right side with O’Donnell and working balls into the opposition box.

Long then had the golden chance with 20 minutes played. Spinning clear of his marker on the right side, his shot flashed across the face of goal and came within centimetres of dropping in at the left post.

Watt then also had a close range effort denied, with the ball getting caught under his feet on the first attempt, and his second being blocked by the defence.

Beer-Sheva’s opener came after Motherwell were denied a drop ball after being in possession after a clash of heads in the box.

The hosts went up the other end and won a free-kick on the left. Joseu swung it in, with Vitor breaking clear to head home with four minutes left in the half.

Soon after, there were fierce calls for a dismissal. Watt was smashed in the back of the head by an irate Beer-Sheva player, after a coming together just before.

Instead, the referee chose to book both, before blowing the half-time whistle.

Motherwell came out of the blocks at pace again in the second period and had a host of chances to pull level.

First, O’Hara saw a near post header from Polworth’s corner kept out by the ‘keeper, and Gallagher headed over soon after from another great Polworth set play.

Motherwell were in the ascendancy but were to be dealt a blow with 20 minutes to go.

Gallagher was booked for giving away a free-kick on the right and from the resulting delivery, his wrestle with the forward saw a penalty awarded and a second yellow shown.

Joseu made no mistake from the spot, slotting into the bottom right corner.

Lang and White were introduced as ‘Well went chasing but the hosts would kill the game with 10 minutes to go.

Acolatse found room on the left, cut inside and sent a low powerful drive past Carson into the net.

Motherwell: Carson, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Lamie, McGinley, Grimshaw, O’Hara, Campbell, Polworth (Maguire), Watt (White), Long (Lang).

Subs not used: Morrison, Hastie, Cornelius, Seedorf.

Our match with Hapoel Beer-Sheva will be broadcast live online.

Priced at £10, the game is now available to buy for supporters in the UK and Republic of Ireland at ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Supporters based outside of the UK/Ireland can watch via their normal subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk. If you’re based in Israel, you will not be able to see the game.

Kick-off in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match is at 6.30pm BST. Please buy your pass and log in early to avoid a last-minute surge.

PLEASE NOTE that if you are an existing season ticket holder in the UK or Ireland, your existing log in will not work. You must create a new account at ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Due to the complex technical logistics of getting a video feed from Israel, we unfortunately will not have commentary on the feed. You will hear the noise from the stadium instead.

Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire are in the latest Scotland Under 21 squad.

The young Scots will face Czech Republic at Tynecastle Park on Friday 9 October, before travelling to take on San Marino four days later.

Scot Gemmill’s side are still in the hunt for a European Under 21 Championship place, sitting four points behind the Czechs with a game in hand.

They are joined by former ‘Well players James Scott and David Turnbull, both academy graduates who previously featured at Under 21 level while with the Steelmen.

“We will go there with a game plan and a real positive mindset.”

Stephen Robinson looks ahead to Thursday’s UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match at Hapoel Beer-Sheva.

Ross MacIver has joined Greenock Morton on loan for the 2020/21 season.

The forward, who scored on his Motherwell debut at Ross County last campaign, heads to the Championship for more valuable playing time.

“Ross is another of our young players who needs to be getting first team minutes,” said manager Stephen Robinson.

“With no reserve matches, Ross joins Harry Robinson and Jamie Semple on going on loan to aid their development.

“Like the others, we want Ross to use this experience to be able to come back ready to fight for a place in our team.”

Motherwell’s European adventure continues on Thursday with a trip to take on Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the UEFA Europa League.

Kick-off on Thursday 24 September 2020 is at 6.30pm BST.

Watch live

Our match with Hapoel Beer-Sheva will be broadcast live online.

Priced at £10, the game is now available to buy for supporters in the UK and Republic of Ireland at ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Supporters based outside of the UK/Ireland can watch via their normal subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk. If you’re based in Israel, you will not be able to see the game.

Kick-off in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match is at 6.30pm BST. Please buy your pass and log in early to avoid a last-minute surge.

PLEASE NOTE that if you are an existing season ticket holder in the UK or Ireland, your existing log in will not work. You must create a new account at ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Due to the complex technical logistics of getting a video feed from Israel, we unfortunately will not have commentary on the feed. You will hear the noise from the stadium instead.

Form guide

Hapoel Beer-Sheva postponed their weekend match in preparation for the tie, having won one and lost one of their two league matches this season.

In Europe, a 3-0 home win over Dinamo Batumi was followed by a trip to Albania to take on Laci last midweek.

Trailing 1-0 in the 90th minute, late goals from Agudelo and Varenne sealed progression.

For the Steelmen, victory over Aberdeen was a fourth win in five matches. That result followed wins over Glentoran, St Johnstone and Coleraine.

“We’ve now won four out of five. The difference between now and earlier in the season is how clinical we were.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the win over Aberdeen.

An incredible first half blitz saw Motherwell claim all three points against in-form Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Goals from Mark O’Hara, Christopher Long and Bevis Mugabi had Motherwell on easy street with only half of the first 45 gone.

A brilliant defensive showing then got the win over the line in an outstanding showing from every ‘Well man on the park.

Stephen Robinson made two changes to the side which went the distance against Coleraine in Europe in midweek. Liam Grimshaw and Christopher Long came into the side, replacing Nathan McGinley and Callum Lang, who both dropped to the bench.

Motherwell started positively, with Christopher Long’s early shout for a penalty going unheard.

The spot kick would come in the fourth minute. A Polworth free-kick was headed back across goal by Gallagher and met by the head of Bevis Mugabi.

His goalbound effort was handled on its way through, giving O’Hara the chance to open the scoring from the spot.

The midfielder, who netted in the UEFA Europa League shootout in Coleraine, made no mistake, cooly slotting home.

Incredibly it was 2-0 before the 10th minute arrived.

Under pressure, goalkeeper Joe Lewis made a mess of a clearance and it fell to the feet of Long on the left of the box.

The striker still had work to do as Lewis scarpered back towards goal but Long picked his spot well to make it two.

The Motherwell juggernaut kept on going, with bodies piling forward with intensity and speed.

After a series of well-worked attacking moves, the third would arrive from a set play with just 23 minutes gone.

Polworth’s exceptionally weighted corner from the right was met by Mugabi, who hit his header at Lewis but with enough force to see it nestle into the net.

Aberdeen changed their shape to go more attacking in the second half, with Motherwell working to contain them high up the pitch and hit on the counter.

The Steelmen had a raft of opportunities when they stole the ball but Long and Polworth saw chances go begging.

Motherwell: Carson, Gallagher, Mugabi, Lamie, Grimshaw, O’Hara, Campbell, Polworth (Maguire), Watt (Lang), Long (White).

Subs not used: Morrison, McGinley, Crawford, Lang, Seedorf, Hylton, Hastie.

It’s a return to Premiership action on Sunday as we travel to take on Aberdeen.

Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch through Aberdeen’s pay-per-view service at ppv.afc.co.uk.

Supporters based abroad can watch through our subscription service as normal at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off is at 3pm BST.

Tale of the tape

The two sides were last due to meet on 13 March 2020, a game cancelled on the day due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

That match was never played – with the Premiership season later being called with ‘Well in third spot and the Dons in fourth.

Before that, Motherwell won 1-0 on their last trip to Pittodrie, with Liam Donnelly scoring the decisive goal.

Aberdeen have won three of the last five, two at home and one away, while the Steelmen won the other in a resounding 3-0 home win in November 2018.

Form guide

Both sides won in Europe in midweek.

Motherwell took penalties to overcome Coleraine in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, while Aberdeen were 2-0 winners at Viking Stavanger.

In all competitions, the Dons have won six in a row since their opening day defeat to Rangers.

Wins over St Johnstone, Livingston, NSI, Hibernian and Kilmarnock, coupled with the midweek victory in Norway, have resulted in 13 goals and only one conceded, including five clean sheets.

Motherwell have won three of their last four, having toppled Glentoran and Coleraine in Europe, and defeated St Johnstone at home in the Premiership.

Robbie Crawford has joined Motherwell on loan until January.

The central midfielder arrives from Livingston, where he has made 26 appearances since moving from Ayr United in the summer of 2019.

“It was important we added competition for places in midfield,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“Having lost Liam Donnelly to injury, and sold David Turnbull, we have been short in numbers in that area.

“With the number of games we are facing in the league, in Europe and in cup competitions, it was vital we increased our pool.

“He comes with Premiership experience and, along with Barry Maguire, brings competition to the midfield.

“Robbie is a player we’ve watched for a number of years. He gives us a bit of bite and tenacity. He has good quality on the ball and is more game ready than some of our younger boys, who have been unable to gain vital game time with no reserve games.

“Bringing in Robbie allows us the chance to put boys out on loan, particularly Jamie Semple, Harry Robinson, Ross MacIver and Dean Cornelius.

“They can gain vital experience doing that and hopefully come back fighting for a place, as we develop the next crop of young players.”

Crawford, 26, played 225 times for Ayr United after coming through the youth ranks at the club, before earning his move to the Premiership.

He will go straight into the squad for Sunday’s trip to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, and the selection for the trip to Israel to take on Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the UEFA Europa League.