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Stuart Kettlewell has been hoping that his team would spark into life at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday night, and it looked like they had done just that when Conor Wilkinson found the back of the net having dinked Mitov in goals. 

A VAR check would follow however and after the goal was ruled out for handball, St Johnstone powered home two goals from corners to take a healthy lead into the break.

Another game and the big moments seemed to be going in the opposite way of Motherwell, however they didn’t give up.

With the introduction of Theo Bair and Georgie Gent, Motherwell were lively and got a deserved goal through Shane Blaney just past the hour mark.

Less than 10 minutes later, Mika Biereth finished off a team move to level the game with 15 minutes remaining.

The visitors continued to push to find a winner with Oli Shaw presented with the best chance to win the game, however he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in time.

Motherwell came back to earn a point from behind once again this season, a similar tale that Stuart Kettlewell wants to rectify ahead of Hearts on Saturday.

Lennon Miller and Paul McGinn have both picked up injuries that will keep them out for a period of time. 

17-year-old Lennon Miller sustained a knee injury against Aberdeen in the cinch Premiership at the start of November.

As a result, it’s expected he will face a minimum of three months on the sidelines to achieve a full recovery.

Paul McGinn picked up a facial injury against Kilmarnock and has underwent surgery.

The surgeon has advised us that he is expected to be out for approximately six weeks.

Speedy recovery, Lennon and Paul.

Brodie Spencer has been named in the latest Northern Ireland squad.

Northern Ireland round of their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign with a double header in November.

They will travel to face Finland Friday 17 November before round off their campaign against Denmark on Monday 20 November.

• Finland v Northern Ireland
• 5pm KO
• 17th November 
• Helsinki Olympic Stadium

• Northern Ireland v Denmark
• 7.45pm KO
• 20th November
• Windsor Park

Liam Kelly has been named in the Scotland squad for the upcoming November internationals. 

Scotland face Georgia in Tbilsi on Thursday 16 November before a home match against Norway on Sunday 19 November.

Scotland have already qualified for EURO 2024 however will now look to top the group.

Liam Kelly earned his first cap last month for the dark blues and faces competition from Zander Clark and Robbie McCrorie this time around.

• Georgia v Scotland 
• 5pm KO
• Thursday 16 November
• Boris Paichadze, Tbilsi

• Scotland v Norway 
• 7.45pm KO
• Sunday 19 November
• Hampden Park, Glasgow

Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts on tonight’s 2-2 draw with St Johnstone.

• Not up to standard in the first half

• Didn’t roll over

• We could have won the game

Motherwell had to battle from behind to claim a point at McDiarmid Park.

Second-half goals from Shane Blaney and Mika Biereth cancelled out a two-goal St Johnstone advantage.

The Steelmen thought they had take the lead in the 12th minute as a ball over the top found Conor Wilkinson. He cooly lifted the ball over Mitov and into the net but VAR ruled there was a handball in the build up.

It looked like a bright start but minutes later, the home side were ahead.

A corner from the left found Nicky Clark, who rose highest in the box and headed past Kelly.

In the 27th minute, there was another corner and another goal.

A delivery pinged about the box and fell at the feet of Andy Considine who finished from 6 yards.

‘Well had a decent spell of pressure as they looked for a goal just before the break but Dan Casey’s diving header was cleared as it looked to be goalbound.

Stuart Kettlewell made a change at the break with Theo Bair coming on for Brodie Spencer and the Canadian almost made an immediate impact.

Blair Spittal’s ball across the box seemed destined for the big striker but a last-ditch tackle from Ryan McGowan cleared the danger.

With just over twenty minutes to go, the Steelmen had a life-line. A Motherwell corner was recycled to Spittal and his ball into the box was nodded across goal to Shane Blaney who headed in his first goal in claret and amber.

Motherwell looked rejuvenated and grabbed an equalised sixe minutes later.

Substitute Georgie Gent burst down the left and delivered a poinpoint cross to Mika Biereth who applied an expert volleyed finish – his third goal in his last four games.

Liam Kelly was forced into a superb save from Matt Smith’s volley but it was the visitors who almost snatched three points as Oli Shaw was slid in but the ball seemed to get caught up in his feet and the chance was gone.

Motherwell team: Kelly, O’Donnell, Casey, Butcher, Blaney, Spencer, Spittal, Slattery, Paton, Biereth, Wilkinson.

Motherwell subs: Oxborough, Gent, Mugabi, Zdravkovski, Wells, L.Ross, M.Ross, Shaw, Bair.

Blair Spittal knows it’s not been good enough results wise of late for Motherwell but insists that this team have the quality to turn that around. 

The midfielder says the team have been working hard behind the scenes and doing that little bit extra to try and spark the turnaround in fortunes.

Assistant manager Stephen Frail says they will need to access the fitness of Calum Butcher and Brodie Spencer, as both sustained broken noses against Kilmarnock on Saturday. He says they are waiting on the scan results for Paul McGinn to determine whether he will be able to feature in the near future or not. 

Frail declared that there is no panic within the ranks at the club as the team know they have the qualities to not only win football matches, but to also go on a run of form. He said it may take that one win for that run to ignite.

Motherwell travel to take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday night, in the re-arranged date. 

Kick off is 7.45pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets are available to purchase online.

For the £18 family deal, all ticket holders must enter via turnstile 5 – strictly 1 adult and a maximum of 2 Under 12s only.

There will be a limited amount of accessible parking bays for visiting supporters to book in advance (£5 – payable on the day.)

Please email dao@perthsaints.co.uk with your name and vehicle registration to book.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our away kit for this match.

Injury Update

Jon Obika won’t be available, as he edges closer to full recovery. Pape Souare will be missing for four months due to an ankle injury.

Lennon Miller was missing for the most recent match against Kilmarnock, and will so again on Tuesday due to a knee injury.

Calum Butcher and Brodie Spencer picked up broken noses at Rugby Park on Saturday and they will monitored prior to Tuesday night. Paul McGinn has a suspected broken cheekbone on Saturday and will also be a doubt for the match.

Motherwell’s fortunes

Motherwell were beaten 1-0 against Kilmarnock on Saturday, meaning it’s been seven games without a win. In that run, they have faced the top four sides in the league table and will look to turn their form around on Tuesday.

These two sides haven’t met this season but last time out in May, Motherwell secured their Premiership safety with a 2-0 win at McDiarmid Park thanks to goals from Kevin van Veen and Mikael Mandron.

Opposition Report

St Johnstone are currently looking for a new manager after Steven MacLean vacated the post after a 4-0 defeat to St Mirren in Paisley.

In their first match since, the Saints picked up a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock thanks to goals from Nicky Clark in the first half.

The striker has missed a large portion of the season and has already became the second highest Saints goalscorer this season, with just two appearances under his belt.

After the disappointment of the Aberdeen defeat midweek, Motherwell were on the road to Ayrshire come the weekend to try and pick up their first win in seven.  

With four changes of personnel and a formation alteration, Stuart Kettlewell was trying something different to make the 600 travelling fans in the away stand happy.

It was a tight opening half, but both sides had chances. The front three of Theo Bair, Mika Biereth and Conor Wilkinson all had efforts but none of them would be on target.

Liam Kelly made a sensational save from a Kilmarnock corner that meant neither side found the back of the net in the first 45.

Innes Cameron was brought off the bench in the first half due to injury to Vassell and he netted the opener early in the second period.

Paul McGinn looked to find the leveller, he picked the ball up and made space for himself but could only manage a fairly comfortable save out of Dennis.

Liam Kelly was kept busy but kept his side in the game, although the outfield 10 couldn’t capitalise.