A frustrating afternoon in the North-East for the Steelmen, as Aberdeen narrowly sought off a late Motherwell resurgence to earn the three points in the Granite City.
A Pape Gueye double fired the hosts firmly into the ascendency, with substitute Moses Ebiye inspiring a late sense of optimism for the visitors, but the forward’s precise finish proved to be only a consolation, as the Dons held onto their slim advantage in the final phases of play.
Manager, Stuart kettlewell named an unchanged side from the late victory over St. Johnstone over a fortnight ago whilst naming deadline day arrival Jair Tavares on the bench for the first-time.
The hosts started brightly, forcing Motherwell into trading possession within their own half, with Jamie McGrath coming closest after the early exchanges, but the midfielder dragged his effort wide of the target.
The breakthrough came shortly before the half-hour mark, with Gueye accelerating behind the visiting backline before wrong footing Aston Oxborough with a low-drilled effort off the near post.
Motherwell came close to an equaliser in the second-half, with debutant Tavares bending a hopeful effort across the face of goal, but the forward’s attempt failed to trouble Dimitar Mitov.
The second soon followed in the latter stages of the game, with Gueye converting Devlin’s initial effort following an exceptional save from Aston Oxborough.
Ebiye narrowed the deficit in the latter stages, prodding home Tony Watt’s whipped strike across the face of goal, but the Steelmen were unable to overcome Aberdeen’s advantage in the game and were forced to leave the Granite City without any points.
