Motherwell’s heroic push for a late top six place came up short at the final hurdle.
Myziane Maolida’s second half penalty looked to be the decisive moment, as Hibs appeared to be firmly in the ascendency, with victory continuing their top-six fight if results favoured elsewhere.
However, ‘Well’s never say die attitude saw them strike late on for the second consecutive game.
Irishman Shane Blaney demonstrated his attacking capabilities, connecting beautifully on the half-volley, bulleting a magnificent right-footed strike into the top-left corner. Roared on by the Motherwell support, the hosts almost clinched another late victory from the jaws of defeat, but striker Oli Shaw couldn’t find a clean connection from Moses Ebiye’s low drilled delivery.
Motherwell bravely chased their dream of a top six finish to the final whistle, but this afternoon’s result confirms the Steelmen’s place for the remainder of the SPFL campaign.
Stephen O’Donnell and Lennon Miller who both came off the bench to spark the remarkable fightback at Dundee last week, kept their places in the starting line-up for this critical confrontation for the top-six.
Torrential rain and overcast skies pre-match gave way to the Lanarkshire sunshine ahead of kick-off and on a perfect pitch it looked ideal for such a critical game as both teams aimed to grab the last top six place.
However, the swirling wind made it difficult for both sets of players to maintain possession in what turned out to be a frustrating first half.
Things looked promising for the home side inside the opening 10 minutes. Firstly, Dan Casey nodded O’Donnell’s cross wide of goal before Jack Vale burst into the box and although his cut-back found Blair Spittal 15 yards from goal, his snap shot was blocked by Rocky Bushiri.
The response from Hibs was brief and after a quick exchange along the home penalty box, Elie Youan failed to test the keeper, curling his effort off target.
Midway through the half, Kelly produced the first save of the game. Martin Boyle set up former Fir Park full back Chris Cadden and his angle drive was tipped over the bar by the ‘Well number 1.
Facing the Davie Cooper stand and a bit more protection from the wind, the hosts made a positive start.
The Edinburgh side, in need of at least a point from the game, upped their urgency, with successive saves from Kelly denying them the lead.
The hosts earned a spot kick midway through the second-half after Blaney’s foot caught Will Fish at the edge of the box. Maolida calmy stepped up and rolled the ball into the right hand corner in front of 2,800 Hibs fans.
With 20 minutes remaining, and ‘Well needing all three points, Stuart Kettlewell made a triple substitution, bringing on Andy Halliday, Sam Nicholson and Ebiye Moses.
Eight minutes from time his cross found its way across the box to Cadden and only a brilliant block from Kelly kept his side’s hopes for another late fightback alive.
And with the game three minutes into additional time Motherwell produced an equaliser to stun the visitors.
With the ball bouncing about a packed box, Blaney unleashed a shot on the volley which thundered past Marshall.
There was just enough time for ‘Well to grab all three points when Moses crossed into the six yard box giving Oli Shaw a glimpse of glory but he scooped the ball beyond the post to leave the home side with only a solitary point.
