Motherwell had to settle for their first point of the season as they fought out a stalemate with Ross County.
In a fixture which has served up a glut of goals over the season’s goalmouth action was scarce as both ‘keeper’s were asked to make only one remarkable save each.
And even the appearance of ‘Well’s new Australian striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos for the last 25 minutes failed to break the deadlock.
Despite last week’s disappointing performance against Partick Thistle, Stuart Kettlewell made only one change, with Moses Ebiye starting up front alongside Zach Robinson.
County boasting a perfect Premier Sports Cup record, made their first visit to Fir Park sine their 5-0 hammering in February. Don Cowie aimed to avenge that result which ironically cost his predecessor, Derek Adams, the manager’s job.
Aston Oxborough was handed the ‘keeper’s gloves for his first Premier League start. And after six minutes he got his first touch clutching Jordan’s White’s looping header under his crossbar.
Motherwell’s possession and build up play was steady but unable to penetrate County’s back four until 20 minutes.
Robinson nicked the ball off Will Nightingale 15 yards into the visitors half and headed for goal. Although he kept possession until he entered the County box, with Ross Laidlaw racing from his goal, the former Wimbledon striker slipped the ball past the ‘keeper and his right hand post.
Eight minutes later the Steelmen almost sneaked into the lead. Davor Zdravkovski’s terrific lofted pass found Ewan Wilson on the byeline. His cute but back into the six yard box gave Ebiye a chance for a snap shot which Laidlaw beat away.
Two minutes from half-time Ebiye, at the edge of the six yard area, threw himself at Stephen O’Donnell’s low tempting cross, but failed to make contact has the sides remained level at the break.
Within a minute Laidlaw had to palm Dan Casey’s inswinging cross over his bar as the Fir Park men pressed from the restart.
A couple of minutes later a long ball across the County box found Andy Halliday unmarked. Looking for Robinson at the opposite post his low ball was blocked and a chance to test Laidlaw gone.
The first real chance for County came after 57 minutes when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. And although Ronan Hale curled the ball low round the wall, Oxborough was his equal throwing his large frame across goal and palm the ball round his left hand post.
After 66 minutes and with the home attack still finding it difficult to find gaps in the County defence, Kettlewell made his first substitution, introducing Stamatelopoulos to Scottish football.
Eight minutes later former County man Ross Callachan made his first appearance in a ‘Well jersey as the home side chased a winner.
It might have come at the other end in the 74th minute when White, with plenty of space and time, rose 10 yards from goal only to nod the ball over Oxborough’s bar.
Ten minutes from time, from a free kick to the left of the penalty area, Halliday curled his effort over the bar as Motherwell’s frustrations to get an effort on goal continued.
Five minutes later they managed to hit the target only to be denied by a stunning save.
O’Donnell’s low cross was deflected beyond the box but only to the waiting Wilson and his thundering left foot drive seemed destined for the back of the net until Laidlaw stretched high to his right to repel the shot.
Paul McGinn and Dylan Wells were given final nine minutes to edge the game Motherwell’s way but ultimately two shot shy teams had to settle for a point.
