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“We have to keep working away. We have to focus on where we want to be at the end.”

A late stunner saw Motherwell surrender their lead and leave St Johnstone with defeat.

Kevin Van Veen’s early opener from distance had ‘Well ahead. But Callum Hendry’s equaliser soon after, and then his last-minute volleyed winner, ensured the Steelmen left Perth with nothing.

Jake Carroll, Stephen O’Donnell and Connor Shields came into the starting side in Perth, with Nathan McGinley and Jordan Roberts out, and Bevis Mugabi suspended.

Without a win in 10 cinch Premiership matches, ‘Well set out on the front foot early to try and get back on track – and keep their European ambitions on course.

The perfect start arrived just 12 minutes in. Van Veen collected the ball on the left and set off inside, bypassing several Saints players as he set out for the middle of the pitch.

Making the space, he sent in a low drive from 25 yards which picked up pace on the surface and found the inside of Clark’s left-hand post perfectly to give ‘Well the lead.

The visitors saw plenty of the ball high up the pitch in the first half but they would come unstuck by a rare Saints chance nine minutes later.

Hallberg made room on the right and set a wicked cross to the front post, where Hendry got across the front of his man to send a looping header into the right corner of the net.

A bruising affair ensued. Davidson should have seen yellow for a wild challenge on Shields, before two minutes later he did receive a booking for an even-worse lunging tackle on Carroll.

Shields saw an angled drive easily gathered by Clark as the half wore on in a first 45 low on chances, but which Motherwell dominated the majority of.

St Johnstone started the second half brighter, with Hendry seeing a volley on the edge of the box after a set play well charged down.

Eventually Motherwell grew into it. O’Donnell – getting high up the pitch – saw an ambitious half-volley from the edge of the box drop wide.

But it was the introduction of Woolery, as Motherwell went 4-2-4, that sparked the men in black and amber to life.

First, the forward cut in off the left and saw his shot bounce back off the opposite post as ‘Well came agonisingly close.

The Englishman then was booked for simulation on a rapid counter for the Steelmen, going down softly and in instalments under light contact.

With the game petering out, it looked like the shares would be spoiled but the Saints had a late answer.

A ball in behind down the left saw Hendry get in and his perfectly-placed half volley sailed over Kelly to give the hosts the late win.

Graham Alexander fully believes his players are capable of putting a bad run of results behind them and getting the results they need to move up the table.

Dean Cornelius believes it has been fine margins that have meant Motherwell have dropped points in their recent poor run of form but the team are up for the fight to push up the table.

Motherwell defender Max Johnston has been selected in Scotland’s Under 19s squad. 

The full back, who is currently on loan at Queen of the South, will join up with Billy Stark and the rest of the squad for the upcoming 2021-22 UEFA Under-19 EURO Elite Round.

Scotland are in Group one and travel to Hungary to play three fixtures. They play against Turkey first on Wednesday 23 March.

They will then take on hosts Hungary on Saturday 26 March before playing Israel on Tuesday 29 March.

Bevis Mugabi has been called up by Uganda.

The Cranes will play in a small friendly tournament in Uzbekistan that will take place between Friday 25 March and Tuesday 29 March.

Uganda will face Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgz Republic.

This tournament will be used as a warm for the AFCON 2023 qualifiers which start in June.

A trip to Perth lies in store on Saturday in the cinch Premiership.

Kick-off at McDiarmid Park is at 3pm.

Ticket information

Tickets for Motherwell fans can be purchased online now directly from St Johnstone. Tickets are available to buy online only.

Prices are:

• Adults: £24
• Over 65s / Under 20s: £14
• Family adult (one adult with maximum two children under 12): £17
• Under 12s (no admission without an adult): Free

Important information

For the £17 family deal, all ticket holders must enter via turnstile five.

Wheelchair and PA tickets can be purchased directly from the McDiarmid Park ticket office by calling 01738 455000 during office hours. Adult/concession wheelchair tickets are £15/£9 respectively. The personal assistant ticket is included in the ticket price.

Watch live

A live stream is available from St Johnstone for £17.50 from their SaintsTV site.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell remain unbeaten against St Johnstone this season, although wins at McDiarmid Park have been hard to come by. September 2019 was the last time the Steelmen won in Perth.

Devante Cole scored the winner with Mark Gillespie also saving a Scott Tanser penalty.

Form guide

Saturday’s match is a tale of a team who have won two home league games this season against a team who have won two away games this season.

St Johnstone’s last win in the league came on 19 February, beating Hearts 2-0. The Perth side had a rest weekend after they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup.

Motherwell are currently 8th in the table, one point off of Hibernian who are 4th in the table. The Steelmen have picked up three points out of a possible 12.

Motherwell pair Liam Kelly and Stephen O’Donnell have been called up to the Scotland squad. 

Stephen O’Donnell, who will be looking to achieve his 25th cap for his country, has been a regular in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad and will once again be looking to feature.

Liam Kelly, who was last in the Scotland squad for September’s round of fixtures, will be looking to pick up his first Scotland cap.

Due to the postponement of Scotland’s World Cup playoff fixture against Ukraine, Poland will now be the opponents in a friendly match at Hampden on Thursday 24 March at 7:45pm.

They will then face the losers of Wales v Austria away on the Tuesday 29 March.

Our physiotherapist David Henderson also takes up his regular place on the backroom staff.

Ross Tierney has been called up by Republic of Ireland’s Under 21s. 

The young Irish side play group leaders Sweden away in the UEFA European Under 21 Championship.

They play on 29 March, with Republic of Ireland four points off the leaders having played a game less.

Liam Donnelly has been called up by Northern Ireland. 

The Motherwell midfielder has been selected for international duty and returns to the squad for the first time since September 2021.

Northern Ireland face Luxembourg away in a friendly on 25 March and return to Windsor Park for a friendly clash against Hungary on 29 March.