Motherwell had to settle for a 4-5 win on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Queen of the South.
The Steelmen dominated the match but somehow couldn’t secure all three points after goals from Blair Spittal and Callum Slattery.
Stuart Kettlewell handed debuts to Aston Oxborough and new signing Pape Souaré and gave Mark Ferrie his first start in claret and amber.
The Steelmen controlled the opening exchanges with plenty of possession in the Queens half but looked vulnerable to a counter attack.
Kieran McKechnie broke forward, cut in on his right foot and dispatched a curling shot in off the post past the helpless Oxborough.
The same pattern then continued – plenty of Motherwell possession and shots in the final third but each time Botterill was equal to the shot.
It looked like it was going to be one of those nights when Obika spun his man in the box but somehow Botterill got his foot to the goalbound shot and it went out for a corner.
Motherwell finally found a way though just before half-time.
A nice bit of play from Slattery found Spittal inside the area and he did the rest from close range to net his first goal of the season.
The Steelmen almost took the lead minutes into the second half. A teasing ball from O’Donnell found Obika but his diving header came crashing back off the post.
Obika could have found himself on the scoresheet but ended up producing a fine assist as Motherwell took the lead.
A ball forward was expertly flicked into the path of Callum Slattery. The midfielder still had a lot to do as he raced past his man but kept his head down and rifled the ball into the back of the net
Incredibly Queens drew level with fifteen minutes to go. Obika’s shot came crashing back off the bar and from there the home team broke away and Gavin Reilly converted from a cross.
It was totally against the run of the play and it might have been easy for the wind to be sucked out of Motherwell’s sails.
However, almost instantly, Paul McGinn worked his way into the box and squared for Blair Spittal to cooly finish for his second of the night.
That looked to be the win secured but ‘Well passed up numerous other chances and were punished for their wastefulness.
Queens broke into the box and a midfielder went down under Spittal’s challenge. Craig Napier pointed to the spot and Gavin Reilly converted the spot-kick.
Defender Ricki Lamie was then sent off, shown his second yellow card for a foul that had taken place off the pitch.
A point was disappointing in the end although Motherwell did win the bonus point on penalties. Spittal, Wilkinson, Slattery, McGinn and O’Donnell all scored and Aston Oxborough saved McKechnie’s penalty.
Focus now turns to Queen’s Park on Saturday, with Motherwell sitting joint top of group G with East Fife.
