A late stunner saw Motherwell surrender their lead and leave St Johnstone with defeat.
Kevin Van Veen’s early opener from distance had ‘Well ahead. But Callum Hendry’s equaliser soon after, and then his last-minute volleyed winner, ensured the Steelmen left Perth with nothing.
Jake Carroll, Stephen O’Donnell and Connor Shields came into the starting side in Perth, with Nathan McGinley and Jordan Roberts out, and Bevis Mugabi suspended.
Without a win in 10 cinch Premiership matches, ‘Well set out on the front foot early to try and get back on track – and keep their European ambitions on course.
The perfect start arrived just 12 minutes in. Van Veen collected the ball on the left and set off inside, bypassing several Saints players as he set out for the middle of the pitch.
Making the space, he sent in a low drive from 25 yards which picked up pace on the surface and found the inside of Clark’s left-hand post perfectly to give ‘Well the lead.
The visitors saw plenty of the ball high up the pitch in the first half but they would come unstuck by a rare Saints chance nine minutes later.
Hallberg made room on the right and set a wicked cross to the front post, where Hendry got across the front of his man to send a looping header into the right corner of the net.
A bruising affair ensued. Davidson should have seen yellow for a wild challenge on Shields, before two minutes later he did receive a booking for an even-worse lunging tackle on Carroll.
Shields saw an angled drive easily gathered by Clark as the half wore on in a first 45 low on chances, but which Motherwell dominated the majority of.
St Johnstone started the second half brighter, with Hendry seeing a volley on the edge of the box after a set play well charged down.
Eventually Motherwell grew into it. O’Donnell – getting high up the pitch – saw an ambitious half-volley from the edge of the box drop wide.
But it was the introduction of Woolery, as Motherwell went 4-2-4, that sparked the men in black and amber to life.
First, the forward cut in off the left and saw his shot bounce back off the opposite post as ‘Well came agonisingly close.
The Englishman then was booked for simulation on a rapid counter for the Steelmen, going down softly and in instalments under light contact.
With the game petering out, it looked like the shares would be spoiled but the Saints had a late answer.
A ball in behind down the left saw Hendry get in and his perfectly-placed half volley sailed over Kelly to give the hosts the late win.
