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“Today was a reality check of where we need to improve.

“We tried to get through the game doing the minimum and we got punished.”

Motherwell ended the 2020/21 season with a defeat at home to Ross County.

An early goal from Sam Foley had the hosts in control, but second half strikes from Iain Vigurs and Michael Gardyne guaranteed the Staggies’ safety, and saw Motherwell finish eighth.

For the Steelmen it rounded of a season of highs and lows which started in the Highlands in August and fittingly concluded with the visit of the Dingwall side to an empty Fir Park on a sunny May midday.

Allan Campbell’s ankle injury deprived the midfielder of one final appearance in a ‘Well jersey before his anticipated departure over the summer. That allowed Robbie Crawford to take his place in midfield.

However, it was the most recent member of the Fir Park midfield, Sam Foley, who grabbed his first goal for the club.

But the Highlanders found themselves behind after only seven minutes.

Jack Hastie rolled a pass into the path of the overlapping Mark O’Hara. His teasing ball across the face of the County goal was completely missed by Devante Cole who should have claimed his 12th goal of the season. His blushes were saved, though, when Foley nipped in behind him to nudge the ball beyond Ross Laidlaw.

The Staggies made an immediate response and came close to a leveller within six minutes.

Blair Spittal’s cross into a packed home box fell for Jordan White, but from 10 yards the ex-Well striker lashed his effort off the crossbar.

The visitor’s were out of luck again a few minutes later. Keith Watson met Spittal’s corner and his powerful header was destined for the back of the net until it rebounded off Michael Gardyne on the goal line.

After that furious start from both sides the tempo of the game slowed and became more of a midfield affair.

With Ricki Lamie and Tyler Magloire working hard to contain Whyte’s aerial threat, Liam Kelly and his opposite number Laidlaw in the County goal were never called into action for the remainder of the first half.

John Hughes’ side kicked off the second knowing that they needed at least a point to avoid dropping into the play-off spot.

And within five minutes of the restart County grabbed the goal they desperately needed.

In his time at Fir Park Iain Vigurs often delighted ‘Well fans with his talented his left foot -but none better than this effort when he superbly curled the ball high beyond Kelly and into his top right-hand corner.

On the hour mark, Graham Alexander made his first change bringing on Steven Lawless for Hastie. A few minutes Tony Watt replaced Crawford but it was the visitors who took the initiative and the lead in the 65th minute.

Gardyne cut into the box on the left and as Kelly advanced from his line the veteran winger calmly steered the ball past the ‘keeper and into the empty goal.

That put County firmly in the driving seat to secure the points and maintain their position above Kilmarnock in the league table.

To their credit, with nothing to play for, the ‘Well players pressed County deep into their own half for the final 10 minutes.

But with the club’s Premiership future on the line the Dingwall men fought to the end to preserve their lead and league status.

For Motherwell, although it was a disappointing result to bring the season to a close, it concluded a hugely impressive league run suffering only their second defeat in the last nine games.

Motherwell: Kelly, O’Donnell, Magloire, Lamie, McGinley, O’Hara, Crawford, Foley, Hastie, Long, Cole.

Subs: Fox, Johnston, Dunne, Carroll, Gallagher, Cornelius, Maguire, Lawless, Watt.

It’s time to vote for your Motherwell FC goal of the season for 2020/21.

The choices are viewable on the video above, and are as follows:

• Stephen O’Donnell v Glentoran
• Allan Campbell v St Johnstone
• Mark O’Hara v St Johnstone
• Bevis Mugabi v St Johnstone
• Christopher Long v Dundee United
• Allan Campbell v Kilmarnock
• Allan Campbell v Formartine United
• Devante Cole v Dundee United

Choose yours by voting in our poll here.

Motherwell host Hibernian in SWPL1 on Sunday.

Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium is at 2pm.

The game is closed to supporters but is available to watch live online for £5.

Tale of the tape

Hibernian were narrow winners last time out, with a 3-2 victory in Edinburgh for the hosts.

Motherwell are yet to pick up a win in the eight encounters against Sunday’s opponents to date.

Form guide

‘Well picked up their second victory in five matches with a 1-0 win at Forfar in midweek.

Hibernian are unbeaten in three. Wins over Forfar and Hearts were followed with a 1-1 draw against Spartans on Wednesday.

“We want to leave Fir Park on Sunday feeling good about ourselves. We’ll only do that by performing well and winning.”

Motherwell host Ross County in the final game of the 2020/21 season on Sunday.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders can watch the game for free, as usual, at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off is at 12pm.

A handy new smartphone app has been launched to provide practical support for people who are having suicidal thoughts or who may know someone who is.

The Suicide Prevention in Lanarkshire app is packed with useful information to help keep people safe and provide guidance on how to look out for others you may be concerned about.

Details about training and awareness sessions, facts and myths around suicide, how to start the conversation about suicide, and how to access crucial support helplines and much more.

The app has been created in partnership with both North and South Lanarkshire Council’s suicide prevention initiatives.

Download the Suicide Prevention Lanarkshire app from your mobile device app store by searching for SP Lanarkshire.

“This newly designed app will provide a valuable resource for people concerned about suicide,” Lynne McDonald, Suicide Prevention Lead in North Lanarkshire explained.

“People can use it if they are having thoughts of suicide, or if they are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

“It offers a number of features providing practical information and support which could prove vital. ‘Let’s Talk’ is the message we want to get across as we try to encourage people to talk more openly about suicide so we can all work together to help prevent it.”

Paul Kelly, Depute Leader of North Lanarkshire Council added: “It is so important that we keep raising awareness about suicide prevention in our communities. The emotional impact on families, friends and communities bereaved by suicide is devastating and can have awful long-lasting effect on those left behind.

“This newly developed app will help with our efforts here in Lanarkshire to raise public awareness about suicide prevention.”

We are long-standing partners of Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire.

“It is important we continue to talk about suicide and do everything we can to help people who are considering suicide,” Alan Burrows, chief executive of Motherwell FC, said.

“Suicide affects so many families in this area and has had a direct impact on our supporters’ families over recent years.

“We want everyone to know that support is out there, and to encourage people to talk openly.”

The 2020/21 season ends on Sunday, as Ross County visit Fir Park.

Kick-off is at 12pm.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders can watch the game for free, as usual, at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

What’s at stake

For Motherwell, victory will seal seventh spot in the Premiership and a placing as the top team in the bottom six.

Ross County are in pole position to guarantee their top-flight safety going into the match. A draw will mean they finish 10th, and clear of a play-off spot.

Should they lose, only a win for Kilmarnock against Hamilton will mean the Staggies drop to 11th.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell are 2-1 up in wins from the three encounters between the clubs so far this season.

Graham Alexander’s men are on consecutive victories, winning 2-1 in Dingwall last time out and then 4-0 at Fir Park back in October.

Form guide

Motherwell have now lost one in 90 minutes from 11 matches, with their only defeat coming against Kilmarnock, paired with a penalty shootout loss to Hibernian in the Scottish Cup.

County’s 2-1 win over Hamilton on Wednesday night ensured they won’t finish bottom of the Premiership.

They’ve now won back-to-back league matches, picking up seven points from a possible 15 in their last five games.