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Richard Tait, Tom Aldred and Elliott Frear speak after the 1-0 defeat at home to Kilmarnock.

Stephen Robinson says his side showed bravery on the ball against Kilmarnock, but ultimately came up short in the final third.

Jordan Jones’ goal was the difference between the two, with the hosts seeing three players taken off in the early stages with injuries.

A 10-man Motherwell side, cursed by misfortune, fell to single goal defeat against high-flying Kilmarnock.

Three head injuries inside the opening 25 minutes to Carl McHugh, Charles Dunne and Christian Mbulu, who all required hospital treatment, forced repeated re-arrangement to an already injury ravaged ‘Well line-up.

Curtis Main, who also received a head injury in that crazy 10-minute spell, bravely played on and still required treatment in the second half until 20 minutes from time when he was shown a double yellow card for lashing out at Stephen O’Donnell.

By that stage the Fir Park men were behind to Jordan Jones’ goal, which to add insult to ‘Well’s injuries, as it fell into the category of cross-cum shot.

However, while still only a goal behind the Steelmen kept their shape, showed great courage and determination and continued to push for a deserved equaliser until the final whistle.

With Stephen Robinson watching from the stand, the Fir Park boss made three changes to the ‘Well line-up following the disappointment of the defeat to St Mirren.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Elliot Frear came in to fill berths on the left allowing Ricard Tait to revert to his right back slot. With Carl McHugh stepping back into the back four, Alex Gorrin replaced the ill David Turnbull in midfield.

Frear, appearing on the right created the first chance after nine minutes but although his cross found Danny Johnson at the back post the striker, at full stretch, could only guide the ball over the bar.

A minute later a horrific clash of heads between McHugh and Dunne had serious consequences for both players and the team. After six minutes treatment on the pitch Dunne was carried off on a stretcher, while a shaky looking McHugh was helped up the tunnel.

That enforced a very early double substitution with Gael Bigirimana and Christian Mbulu coming into a rearranged line-up.

Incredibly the latter’s contribution lasted less than ten minutes when the ball caught him full in the eye. ‘Well were then temporarily down to nine men as Curtis Main received treatment for boot in the head before he returned to the action and Liam Grimshaw replaced the unlucky Mbulu.

This was all before the midpoint in the first half when the most involved people were the physios and medical team.

As Keith Lasley desperately tried to organise the Fir Park side from the touchline, Jordan Jones whizzed a low drive across Mark Gillespie’s goal and just outside the far post.

The Killie winger was luckier several minutes from half time when he collected the ball wide on the left and then curled a cross over a packed box, the ‘Well ‘keeper and under the cross bar for another blow to the Steelmen.

Then, in the first of seven minutes injury time, Kris Boyd tried to catch out Gillespie with a floated effort from 25 yards but the ‘Well ‘keeper confidently claimed the ball a couple of yards from his goal line.

In the final minute of additional time Motherwell almost snatched the equaliser. Grimshaw, who had a terrific game, showed great determination on the right before crossing the ball to Johnson.

With his back to goal he played the ball into the path of Frear and his effort from four yards was netbound until it was blocked by the combined efforts of Stepehen O’Donnell and his ‘keeper Danny Bachmann.

After Main’s dismissal, Gillespie kept his side’s slim hopes of an equaliser alive with a couple of saves, diving to hold Chris Burke’s drive and then bravely racing from his line to smother the ball at the feet of the Rory McKenzie.

In a storming finish and pushed on by Tait who outstanding having occupied every position in the back four, ‘Well created a series of chances.

Six minutes from time Tom Aldred rose to meet Frear’s in-swinging corner only to power his header wide of target.

Urged on by an appreciative home support ‘Well continued to push forward and Grimshaw’s ball across the visitor’s box found Bigirimana ghosting in but his ambitious volley drove the ball wide.

In the final minute, and with the Rugby Park men hanging on to their slender lead, they withstood appeals for a penalty when O’Donnell caught Frear at the corner of the box.

Despite their brave performance ‘Well finished empty handed and now face Accies on Saturday’s derby in the final match of the year, with a largely depleted team.

Fans based outside of the UK/Ireland can watch Motherwell’s game with Kilmarnock on Wednesday, 26 December live online.

Our live streaming service will have coverage direct from Fir Park. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.

To subscribe. just head to our live stream website. Monthly passes are available for international users for £12 a month.

Our match with Hamilton on 29 December will not be available on the service.

Andy Rose reflects on his time in claret and amber as he prepares for his final games for Motherwell. 

Stephen Robinson reflects on the St Mirren defeat, and looks ahead to Kilmarnock and a big January transfer window.

The ‘Well boss admits his side must do better as they prepare for the arrival of Steve Clarke’s Killie on Boxing Day.

“The players didn’t give the fans anything to get behind, we need to put that right immediately,” he said.

Motherwell host Kilmarnock in the Boxing Day fixture at Fir Park.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Head to head

Kilmarnock and Motherwell have met once already in the 2018/19 season, with the Steelmen losing a one-goal lead to go down 3-1 at Rugby Park.

At Fir Park, both sides have been victorious in two of the last five encounters, with one draw.

Team news

Liam Donnelly, Craig Tanner, Trevor Carson and Chris Cadden are out long term.

Tickets available online and on the gate

You can buy your tickets online right now. You can print your tickets at home and bring them straight to the gate, or choose to collect at the ticket office.

A pay gate is also available for home fans. Our cheapest ticket for this Saturday’s game is just £20 for adults. Children aged 15 and under can get in to the stadium for just £3 in every stand. Full ticket prices are available here.

Away fans will be situated in the South Stand and can pay at the gate.

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

Watch live online

If you’re outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch the game live online through our subscription service.

For just £12 a month, you can watch all Motherwell home matches and the majority of away games. Just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and subscribe now.

Despite all of Celtic’s domestic success, Kilmarnock are largely considered to be the best side in Scotland in 2018.

Steve Clarke has overseen a miraculous year at the helm and his side arrive at Fir Park looking to end the year on a high.

Here, we take a look at the Ayrshire outfit.

Title charge for Clarke and company

It may be early in the campaign, but as things stand, Kilmarnock are still within reach of the title challengers.

Celtic sit top of the tree at Christmas, with Rangers just one point behind and Kilmarnock four points off the pace.

It may be ambitious to imagine, but if Killie can carry on the form that has seen them become the best side of the year so far, they could push Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen all the way.

Scintillating Stewart

Greg Stewart has played a direct part in 41% of Kilmarnock’s goals this season.

Scoring eight and assisting four of Kilmarnock’s 29 goals in the league is a stunning return for the former Dons man.

There is arguably no player more important to their side than Stewart at the moment.

Stranglehold on Steelmen

The Ayrshire outfit have had a strong run of form over the Steelmen, picking up three wins in the last three clashes between the two sides.

The last time the two faced each other at Fir Park, Killie won 1-0 thanks to a Stephen O’Donnell strike.

Prior to those three wins for Killie, ‘Well won three clashes in a row with the Rugby Park side.

Kilmarnock arrive at Fir Park looking to end a stunning 2018 in style. 

Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell face an incredibly resolute side who have gone on an incredible run under Steve Clarke.

Here, we take a look at Wednesday’s fixture in numbers.

Four

The number of games against Kilmarnock since the Steelmen last notched a victory.

Kilmarnock have won three on the bounce against the Fir Parkers, including a 1-0 victory at Fir Park in February.

The last win Motherwell picked up against the Ayrshire side was a 2-0 win in September 2017.

14

The combined number of goals between the two clubs top scorers in the league.

Danny Johnson has bagged six so far this term, firing the Steelmen to some crucial victories along the way.

Greg Stewart, meanwhile, has scored eight for the Ayrshire outfit.

64

The total number of points Kilmarnock have picked up in 2018.

No side has had a better 12 months than Steve Clarke’s Killie, who are a point better off than Celtic across the year.

The Ayrshire outfit have lost just five league games all year under the stewardship of Clarke.

Kilmarnock are the Boxing Day visitors to Fir Park.

Here’s a look ahead to the game.

Second meeting

Motherwell got themselves a goal to the good in the first meeting between the two sides earlier in the campaign at Rugby Park, through Curtis Main’s strike. They then had the chance to go two goals up from the spot, but Main saw his effort saved.

The home side were galvanised, netting two before the break before sealing a 3-1 win after the break.

Form guide

Kilmarnock sit just four points off the top of the table with half of the season played.

In their last five games, they’ve won their three home matches, but lost to Celtic and drawn to Hamilton on the road.

Motherwell arrive at the game off the back of a 1-0 home loss to St Mirren. It marked the Steelmen’s third defeat in five, with a draw with Celtic and a win over St Johnstone also in the mix.

Tickets available online and on the gate

You can buy your tickets online right now. You can print your tickets at home and bring them straight to the gate, or choose to collect at the ticket office.

A pay gate is also available for home fans. Our cheapest ticket for the game is just £20 for adults. Children aged 15 and under can get in to the stadium for just £3 in every stand. Full ticket prices are available here.

Away fans will be situated in the South Stand and can pay at the gate.

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

Watch live online

If you’re outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch the game live online through our subscription service.

For just £12 a month, you can watch all Motherwell home matches and the majority of away games. Just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and subscribe now.