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The fight for seventh started with a battle with our local rivals.

This is the Story of the Match from the final Lanarkshire derby of the season.

See the highlights as Motherwell were pegged back to settle for a point at Hamilton.

David Turnbull, Conor Sammon and Allan Campbell speak as the Steelmen get a point away to Accies.

Stephen Robinson says two different performances in either half from Motherwell left them getting the result they “deserved.”

David Turnbull netted in a controlled first half, but a late error allowed Accies to take a share of the spoils.

Motherwell had to settle for a point, despite generally being in control of the derby after leading through David Turnbull’s 10th goal of the season midway through the first half.

However, a gifted assist from Liam Grimshaw seven minutes from time allowed Marios Ogkmpoe to grab an equaliser and an important point for Hamilton.

Stephen Robinson made two changes for the final local derby of the season. James Scott led the ‘Well attack in place of Curtis Main, while Elliott Frear, on the back of some good performances after coming off the bench, swapped places with Jake Hastie.

While the Fir Park men were looking up to taking seventh place in the league, the Hamilton players were still looking over their shoulders to ease themselves away from the relegation spots.

It took the players some time to adjust to the bright sunshine as the ball got lumped high into the air in the opening minutes.

When Gboly Ariyibi’s low ball opened up the Accies back four it allowed Scott to hold off his marker and power towards the box before his powerful drive produced a fine diving save from Gary Woods.

Ariybi then tried his luck with a 20 yard free kick but the on loan Nottingham Forrest winger curled his shot over the cross bar.

Mark Gillespie, in front of the ‘Well fans bedecked in amber and summer shirts, had a couple of routine saves to gather David McMillan’s attempts from outside his penalty area.

As Accies tried to up their game and press for a precious three points the Steelmen came close to breaking the deadlock after 25 minutes. Turnbull curled a corner into the six yard box where Tom Aldred’s thumping header came crashing down off the crossbar and gathered by Woods before the ball could be forced over the ‘keeper’s goal line.

However, the ‘Well opener was only delayed four minutes. Liam Grimshaw curled the ball towards the six yard area and after Aryibi and the Accies defence failed to intercept it, Turnbull was left with the simple task of stroking the ball past the helpless Woods.

From them until half-time Motherwell’s movement and possession left Accies and their fans frustrated. In added on time the home side had a final chance to put Gillespie’s goal under pressure but Tony Andreu curled his free kick high over the ‘keeper’s goal to leave the Fir Park men comfortably ahead at the interval.

A big reaction was expected from Brian Rice’s men as Motherwell kicked off the second half. And there was a greater degree of urgency about the home play as Dougie Imrie swept a teasing ball across goal only for Andreu to direct it wide of Gillespie’s goal.

Accies almost undid their early work when they conceded a needless free kick allowing Turnbull to set up Grimshaw at the edge of the box but his powerful shot was deflected over the bar by Aaron McGowan.

With the game in a bit of a rut and Accies unable to make any impression on the ‘Well defence, the home side made a double substitution after 57 minutes bringing on strikers Marios Ogkmpoe and George Oakley. Five minutes later ‘Well made their first change with Chris Cadden replacing Frear.

Within a few minutes and from out on the right touchline Cadden’s deep cross bounced off the top of Woods’ bar and provide a bit excitement for the ‘Well fans in the stand behind the ‘keeper’s goal.

After a hard working 75 minutes leading the front line, Scott was replaced by the experienced Conor Sammon before Hastie came on for Ariyibi.

Despite these changes in attacking areas Motherwell failed to create any chances in the closing stages of the game. Equally though with Aldred and Charles Dunne commanding Gillespie’s was never under threat until seven minutes from time.

Wide of the penalty area Grimshaw lost control of the ball rolling it into the path of Ogkmpoe, who rounded the bewildered Gillespie before firing the ball into an empty goal to give the home side a massive list.

Three minutes later they looked to have snatched a winner when Andreu’s drive found Oakley, belatedly from an offside position inside the six yard box, and his touch seemed destined for the net until Gillespie superbly twisted to turn the ball over the bar.

As Accies pressed for all three points ultimately Motherwell had to be content with only one.

Stephen Robinson says more young talent is set to come through in the next five games, but a patient approach will be required.

Motherwell will have at least seven who have come through the academy involved against Hamilton on Saturday, with others knocking on the door.

Saturday sees the Steelmen make the short trip to Hamilton for the final derby of the 2018/19 season.

You can buy your tickets online now to collect from Fir Park before 4pm on Friday.

Alternatively, you can visit the ticket office at Fir Park or call 01698 333333. All tickets must be purchased before 4pm on Friday.

There will also be a cash gate in operation on the day, but we are urging fans to get their tickets in advance if you can.

Tickets are priced at £22 for adults and £12 for over 65s and under 18s.

Our ticket office will be closed on Easter Monday.

Motherwell head to Hamilton on Saturday for the final Lanarkshire derby of the 2019/20 Ladbrokes Premiership campaign.

Here’s the derby previewed.

What’s at stake

For Motherwell, it’s all about seventh spot. Stephen Robinson’s men sit a point behind St Johnstone in seventh with the split now under way, and a point ahead of Livingston.

Accies are in the strongest position of the bottom three clubs in the fight against the drop, sitting seven points ahead of bottom club Dundee and four ahead of St Mirren in the play-off spot.

The form guide

Saturday’s hosts have won one, drawn one and lost three of their last five matches. A win over Hearts and draw with St Mirren have come with losses with Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Livingston.

Motherwell have won two and lost three in the same time, beating Accies and St Johnstone, but losing to Hibernian, Aberdeen and Rangers.

Team news

Trevor Carson, Craig Tanner, Ross McCormack and Christian Mbulu remain sidelined.

Get your tickets in advance

You can buy your tickets online now. Alternatively, you can visit the ticket office at Fir Park or call 01698 333333.

Tickets should be purchased in advance. Our ticket office at Fir Park will be open Monday to Thursday from 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4pm. It will not be open on the date of the game.

A pay gate will be in operation but we advise supporters to buy in advance.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Listen live

There will be no live stream from New Douglas Park. Fans will be able to listen to live commentary at tv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Liam Polworth is the latest player to sign a pre-contract agreement with Motherwell FC.

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder will join in the summer, with the club beating off competition from other Ladbrokes Premiership sides to secure his services.

Polworth, 24, follows Declan Gallagher in agreeing to move to Fir Park for the 2019/20 campaign.

He will sign a two-year contract with the club in June.

“We’re delighted Liam is joining us,” Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson said. “We hope he will continue his creativity with us, having picked up the most assists in the Championship this season.

“He is a very talented boy and I still feel there are a lot of areas he will improve on with us.

“He will give us another option in the middle of the park and out wide, and arrives with plenty experience in the Scottish top flight.

“We want to get our business done early where possible. That’s bringing people in, as well as offering terms to players who are here.”

The midfielder came through the youth ranks at the Caledonian Stadium, before making his senior debut back in May 2011. He was aged just 16 years and 211 days, making him the youngest ever player to turn out for the Caley Jags.

The former Scotland Under 21 international has gone on to play 204 games for the Highlanders, notching 18 goals.

He was named in the 2017/18 SPFL Championship team of the season, after racking up five goals and 25 assists. This season, he has three goals and 20 assists so far in all competitions.

Motherwell travel to Hamilton on Saturday for the final Lanarkshire derby of the 2018/19 season.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Four

Motherwell and Hamilton go head-to-head for the fourth time in the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season.

Accies won the opening derby of the campaign at Fir Park, but the Steelmen responded with 2-1 and 3-0 victories in the following two victories.

Seven

Saturday’s hosts sit seven clear of bottom spot with five games to go, as they strive to pull themselves even further clear of the drop zone.

Brian Rice’s men are also four points ahead of the play-off position, which is currently occupied by St Mirren.

18

Eighteen points separate the two teams heading into Saturday’s derby.

For Motherwell, it’s a case of striving for seventh spot and finishing best of the rest in the top flight.

St Johnstone currently sit a point ahead, with the two teams due to meet at the start of May.