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Trevor Carson, Tom Aldred and Charles Dunne speak after the goalless draw with Ross County.

Stephen Robinson guided his side to an 18th clean sheet of the season with a hard-fought performance against Ross County. 

The Steelmen kept the struggling Staggies at bay, but also came up against a resolute side fighting for survival.

And Robinson admitted he could take a number of positives from his side’s third consecutive clean sheet.

“Ross County are scrapping for their lives so we knew it was going to be a tough game,” the Northern Irishman said.

“We were organised and disciplined. We also had the best chances of the game, but we’ll take the point.”

He added: “That’s our 18th clean sheet now so that’s pleasing. If you don’t concede goals, you won’t lose games.

“I’m relatively pleased today. It was a long journey up for the fans so it was good to come away with the point, but I think we could have won the game.”

Grant Russell at the Global Energy Stadium

Motherwell claimed another point on the road in a battling performance away to relegation-threatened Ross County.

Stephen Robinson’s men slightly edged a tight affair in terms of chances, with Curtis Main, Chris Cadden and Ryan Bowman all going agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

The clean sheet also marked the 18th shutout of the season for the ‘Well defence, putting them just one off the club record.

The Steelmen were unchanged from their emphatic 3-0 William Hill Scottish Cup semi final over Aberdeen. Carl McHugh returned from suspension to take up a spot on the bench.

After the initial exchanges, both teams were forced into early changes through injury.

Chris Routis was withdrawn for the hosts, with Jason Naismith taking his place, while Andy Rose was withdrawn shortly afterwards with a collarbone injury. McHugh took his place.

Both sides had half chances in a scrappy first period. Harry Souttar tested Trevor Carson with a free header from a set play on the half hour mark for the hosts, while Curtis Main hit the side netting with a long-range shot as the first period wore to a close.

Immediately County went on the offensive again. Schalk picked the ball up in the centre of the park 30 yards from goal but his ambitious drive sailed over the bar.

Motherwell upped their intensity as they went in the search of an opener before the close of the first half. The end result was a corner kick which eventually found its way to Main whose header cannoned back off the far post, only for referee Alan Muir to adjudge a foul had been committed.

County then almost took the lead on the stroke of the interval. Billy McKay found himself in acres of space 12 yards out with a potential shot at Carson but he chose to move the ball further right to Fraser. The recovering Charles Dunne, fortunately, was on hand to lunge in bravely to block the shot.

The second half saw the game open up in spells, with Motherwell creating a succession of chances.

Tom Aldred was first to give the visitors hope, with his header from a corner kick being headed clear of the line by Max Melbourne.

Bowman then thought he had done enough to put Motherwell into the lead. Chris Cadden’s burst down the right led to the ball getting into the feet of Main. The big striker then laid off his strike partner, but his snap shot from the edge of the area was turned around the post by Scott Fox.

Immediately from the corner Main met the ball at the back post, with his header across the face of goal bouncing just past the left post.

County grew back into the game but as they pressed as pressed, it was Motherwell who nearly broke the deadlock with five mintues to spare.

Main used his strength superbly to hold off the attentions of Souttar from a long ball, but his shot from outside the area went wide.

Immediately County were back on the front foot. Schalk was next to trouble the travelling defence, but his ferocious shot from 20 yards was just over.

The game flew from end to end. Next it was Cadden who came close, with his shot from the edge of the area, after being teed up by Aldred, agonisningly failing to dip in time as it cleared the crossbar.

There was time for a late debut for James Scott in the 90th minute as he replaced Main, but he wasn’t presented with a scoring chance to make it a maiden appearance to remember.

Having narrowly missed out on the top six, Motherwell make the long trip to Dingwall in their first post-split fixture of the 2017/18 campaign.

And following the historic Scottish Cup semi final victory over Aberdeen, the Steelmen have the chance to confirm their top-flight status on Saturday.

Victory would rule ‘Well out of any relegation or play-off scrap, whilst a win for hosts Ross County would give the Northerners a lifeline in their fight for survival.

It makes for an intriguing Premiership encounter in the Highlands.

But there is more to the clash than just survival for the players in claret and amber.

Manager Stephen Robinson knows the importance of a good run of form at the end of the campaign, with the Scottish Cup final just around the corner.

And the Northern Irishman has been impressed with his players reactions this week in training as they prepare for the challenge of the Staggies.

“We’ve trained well and the boys look really sharp,” the Northern Irishman said. “Everyone is fighting for places now so the intensity hasn’t dropped at all.

[pullquote]Sometimes you can get complacent, but that certainly hasn’t happened this week.[/pullquote]

He added: “First and foremost we need the points to guarantee our safety. By no means will we be throwing any towel in and waiting just for the cup final, you can’t do that.

“Players need to play football. It’s all well and good resting people and trying to save them, but we want to win the next five games and go in to the final in really good form.”

Andy Rose echoes the sentiments of his manager.

With 11th placed Ross County up next on, the midfielder is prepared to face a determined side at the Global Energy Stadium.

But the Steelmen are equally determined, revealed the 28-year-old, with competition for places in the starting eleven rife, despite injuries.

“We’ve got a lot more to achieve this season,” he said. “At the moment, that’s getting three points this weekend.

[pullquote]We’ve shown against the top sides that we can compete and win. For us to take our game to the next level, we need to show consistency.[/pullquote]

“We’re a relatively new group with a lot of new faces this season. I think a part of growing and maturing together is consistency.

“For us to take our game to the next level, we need to show that consistency and turn in performances like Saturday’s on a weekly basis.

“That’s all part of growing as a tea,” ‘Well’s number 15 added. “Those performances breed confidence, and now we need to be focused on the next league games to finish as high up the table as we can.”

Tickets are available on the gate at Global Energy Stadium.

Kick off on Saturday is at 3.00pm.

Admission prices are as follows:

If you can’t make it along, you can follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC. Live audio commentary will be available on mixlr.com/motherwellfc

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

Andy Rose is expecting a tough few weeks as the Steelmen head in to the final stretch of the 2017/18 campaign.

With 11th placed Ross County up next on Saturday, the midfielder is prepared to face a determined side at the Global Energy Stadium.

But the Steelmen are equally determined, revealed the 28-year-old.

“We’ve got a lot more to achieve this season,” he said. “At the moment, that’s getting three points this weekend.

“We’re a relatively new group with a lot of new faces this season. I think a part of growing and maturing together is consistency.

“We’ve shown against the top sides that we can compete and win. For us to take our game to the next level, we need to show that consistency and turn in performances like Saturday’s on a weekly basis.

“That’s all part of growing as a tea,” ‘Well’s number 15 added. “Those performances breed confidence, and now we need to be focused on the next league games to finish as high up the table as we can.”

Stephen Robinson is eager to see his side go on a good run of form as the season draws to a close.

In the first post-split match on Saturday, the Steelmen travel to Dingwall on the back of a historic Scottish Cup semi final win over Aberdeen.

And the manager has been impressed with his players reactions this week in training.

“We’ve trained well and the boys look really sharp,” the Northern Irishman said. “Everyone is fighting for places now so the intensity hasn’t dropped at all.

“Sometimes you can get complacent, but that certainly hasn’t happened this week.”

He added: “First and foremost we need the points to guarantee our safety. By no means will we be throwing any towel in and waiting just for the cup final, you can’t do that.

“Players need to play football. It’s all well and good resting people and trying to save them, but we want to win the next five games and go in to the final in really good form.”

Motherwell will play Celtic in the final of the 2017/18 William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Scottish champions side defeated their Glasgow rivals Rangers 4-0 at Hampden Park in the second semi final of the weekend.

They will now take on Motherwell following the Steelmen’s emphatic 3-0 Saturday win over Aberdeen at the national stadium.

It will be the first time the sides have met in the competition since the 2010/11 final, when Celtic ran out 3-0 winners.

The final will take place at Hampden on Saturday, 19 May with a 3pm kick off. Ticket information will be announced as soon as possible.

Chris Cadden, Liam Grimshaw and goal scoring hero Curtis Main react after the 3-0 Scottish Cup semi final win over Aberdeen.

Manager Stephen Robinson reacts after Motherwell reach the 2018 Scottish Cup final with a 3-0 win over Aberdeen.

Stephen Robinson and his men made it a historic cup double with an emphatic victory over Aberdeen to earn themselves a Scottish Cup final appearance.

A brace from Curtis Main and a strike from the hard working Ryan Bowman, saw off the Dons’ cup challenge for the second time this season.

As the ‘Well fans wildly celebrated a superb achievement at full time, few will remember the last time a Motherwell team made two cup finals in one season a feat not achieved since 1951.

Liam Grimshaw got the nod to take the midfield slot vacated by the suspended Carl McHugh, while Charles Dunne and Andy Rose were fit enough to make a familiar looking starting line-up. In the absence of the ‘Well captain, the latter was deployed in a more central role.

On their fourth visit to Hampden on cup business this season, Motherwell looked comfortable in their surroundings. And after some initial pressure from the Dons the Fir Park settled into their routine.

There was little goalmouth action until the 19th minute when Dunne’s long throw had Joe Lewis flapping. A minute later the Dons’ ‘keeper was helpless as out of nothing Motherwell opened the scoring.

Richard Tait used his strength to got the better of Dominic Ball at the edge of the box and while the defender stopped appealing for handball, the ‘Well full back rolled the ball across the six yard box allowing Main to poke it over the line and surprise the Dons.

Before the Aberdeen fans could recover from that shock they were stunned just two minutes later when ‘Well doubled their advantage.

Bowman showed great determination to win a tussle with Kari Arnason before firing the ball towards goal. The chance appeared lost when the shot rebounded from Lewis but Bowman reacted superbly deftly guiding the ball beyond the ‘keeper and just inside his right hand post and send the ‘Well fans into ecstasy.

Dons looked for a quick reply but May’s half hit volley was comfortably held by Trevor Carson, with his only real save of the first half.

At the other end Bowman was proving a real handful for the towering Dons’ defenders and after wriggling free his low left foot drive was saved by Lewis.

A swift passing move between Campbell and Main released Bowman but he used a hand before firing another shot on target.

Two minutes from the break Dons were forced into a substitution and immediately Gary Mackay-Steven created his side’s first real opening only for May to drag his shot wide of target and leave the Steelmen two ahead at the interval.

Wary that they had conceded a two goal lead against Rangers three weeks ago, Robinson’s men were resolute in defending in depth while hoping to grab a decisive third goal on the break. And with the diminutive pair of Campbell and Grimshaw winning every second ball ‘Well controlled the game.

A rare lapse in the box after 62 minutes found Adam Rooney unmarked but his powerful angled drive was brilliantly parried by Carson, who commanded his goal area superbly for his seventh cup shut-out.

However, just as the Aberdeen fans were dreaming of a fightback their illusions were shattered when ‘Well grabbed a third goal to kill the tie.

Arnason was again at fault when he hammered the ball against Main on the half way line. Although the Icelandic internationalist gave chase he had no chance of catching the ‘Well striker who carried the ball forty yards before slamming a left foot finish beyond advancing Lewis and into the net.

With a cup final place secured, it was no surprise when Robinson brought off his striking pair to a standing ovation and give the overworked Dons’ defence some respite for the closing 10 minutes.

However, on an afternoon when the ‘Well players created a place in the club’s history, everyone in claret and amber was a hero as they celebrated with the fans for yet another return to Hampden on 19 May.