One to reflect on, as Motherwell failed to capitalise when it mattered and were forced to settle for a point at K-Park.
Tiree Burchill continued to add to her recent goalscoring form after converting prior to the half-time break, but the women of steel’s misfortunes saw United level in the second half.
Manager, Paul Brownlie made three changes from the side that secured their third Lanarkshire Derby victory over local rivals Hamilton at New Douglas Park last weekend.
Jo Addie, Niamh Noble and captain Gill Inglis all returned to the starting XI, whilst Kodie Hay, Katie Rice and Lori Gardner settled for a place on the bench.
Looking for their fifth straight victory, Motherwell quickly picked up where they left off, pinning the visitors deep into their own half.
Burchill skilfully evaded the offside trap as she narrowed in on goal before squaring it to the awaiting Carla Boyce in the box, but the striker lost her footing and couldn’t apply the finishing touches.
The hosts continued to cause the United defence problems in the early exchanges, and moments later, Boyce was through again, but this time her effort ricocheted off the woodwork.
The women of Steel struggled to find the consistency and rhythm that had been instrumental in recent games, but midway through the first half; the deadlock was broken.
Lucy Ronald was bundled over on the halfway line, but the referee’s advantage caught the United defence off guard, leaving Burchill racing through on goal and the striker coolly dispatched her strike into the bottom-left corner.
As the half-time whistle drew closer, Motherwell hit the woodwork for the third time.
Ronald’s floated delivery fell kindly to the feet of Georgie Rafferty who connected perfectly on the half-volley, but the defender’s effort cracked off the crossbar.
As the second half resumed, the visitors found an equaliser against the run of play.
A mix-up at the back gifted United possession deep into the Motherwell penalty area, and McGinley accurately placed her strike under Emily Mutch to pull her side level.
Motherwell flooded the United box in search of a late winner, with chances from Kayla Jardine and Lori Gardner hitting the woodwork, but they were unable to find the breakthrough and were forced to settle for a point.
Paul Brownlie’s side will face a short international break before returning to league action against Spartans in two weeks’ time.
