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“The players kept believing and put everything into the game. It’s really hurtful to go out in that fashion.”

Motherwell crashed out of the Scottish Cup at the quarter-final stage after failing to overcome a two-goal deficit against Hibernian.

The home side’s odds of progressing to the semi-finals increased dramatically within the first minute after Bevis Mugabi’s wreckless lunge gave the Steelmen a challenge they fought hard to overcome.

Then a first-half double from Norweigan striker Elias Melkersen’s looked certain to allow Hibs to comfortably claim a semi-final spot at ‘Well’s expense for the second consecutive season.

However, Joe Efford’s opportunist goal just before half-time set the scene for a stirring second half from the Steelmen. But despite commanding most of the second period Motherwell failed to find a second goal as Hibs, despite having a one-man advantage for so long, desperately held on for the narrowest of wins.

Graham Alexander once again made numerous changes to his starting line-up for this quarter-final tie.

In came Mugabi at right-back, with Dean Cornelius and Nathan McGinley joining Liam Donnelly in midfield. Joe Efford and Kevin van Veen were partnered up front with Jordan Roberts taking Kaiyne Woolery’s place.

With both teams finding goals and wins hard to come by in 2022, the lure of a Scottish Cup semi-final place was seen as an ideal opportunity to kick start their respective seasons.

There was a terrific cup atmosphere with just over 8,000 fans inside Fir Park for this midday clash.

Hibs had barely kicked off facing a massive travelling support when Motherwell were reduced to 10 men. Mugabi’s high tackle on Josh Doig left Willie Collum with no option but to reach for his red card with less than 60 seconds played.

Five minutes later Roberts’ late challenge earned him a yellow card as tempers on both sides threatened to spill over.

Hibs came close to using their extra man advantage after nine minutes when only a superb left-handed save from Liam Kelly prevented Drey Wright from opening the scoring.

A minute later the referee was back in his top pocket again this time to show Melkerson a yellow card.

Motherwell seemed undaunted by the loss of Mugabi and Van Veen forced two corners as the home support rallied behind their depleted team.

And from the second corner into a packed box ‘Well almost snatched the lead. But after Juhani Ojala’s shot was parried by Matt Macey, Roberts failed to connect with the loose ball inside the six-yard box.

However, it was the Easter Road mem who made the breakthrough after 15 minutes. Sylvester Jasper worked his way into the box on the right and his cross picked out Melkerson whose header from four yards flashed past Kelly. That gave Shaun Maloney’s men and the Hibs fans behind Kelly’s goal a huge boost.

It took another good save from Kelly in the 31st minute when Jasper’s cross from the left eluded everyone forcing the ‘Well keeper to dive low to his left and smother the ball.

The Fir Park ‘keeper was beaten five minutes later when Hibs doubled their lead and should have effectively killed the tie.

On-loan Fulham midfielder Jasper was again the provider with a measured lofted pass over the struggling Ojala and into Melkersen’s path. The striker had time to chest the ball down and advance to the edge of the box before driving the ball low past the helpless Kelly and make it 2-0.

Three minutes from the break and out of nothing ‘Well grabbed a lifeline.

Roberts’ shot on the right found its way to Efford 10 yards out and he chested the ball towards goal. His quick reactions caught out Macey who watched the ball hit the foot of his right-hand post before rolling over the goal line to make it 2-1.

Although Kelly had another fine save from Wright’s rising shot the end of an action-packed first half came with ‘Well chasing an equaliser.

The break gave Alexander the chance to reorganise his side Stephen O’Donnell coming on for the injured Ojala, Lamie moving to the centre of the defence and McGinley returning to left back.

Even minus a man that gave Motherwell a more balanced look. And O’Donnell almost made the most of his introduction when he worked his way to the byeline before drilling the ball low across the face of Macey’s goal and just begging a touch from two yards to send it into the net.

After 62 minutes Donnelly latched onto a loose ball from Josh Campbell and his powerful drive from 25 yards had the Hibs ‘keeper racing to his right to see the ball narrowly past his post.

‘Well players then encouraged the referee to produce a red card when Jasper, previously booked for simulation, tripped McGinley wide on the right. Donnelly curled the resultant free-kick towards the six-yard box and Sondre Solholm’s glancing header had Macey gripping the ball on his goal line as Efford and Van Veen hovered for a slip.

With 20 minutes remaining the Hibs players looked increasingly uncomfortable as ‘Well pressed the visitor’s goal in search of an equaliser.

Donnelly again came close after 72 minutes when following O’Donnell’s long throw the ball came out to the ‘Well midfielder but his measured header sailed just over Macey’s crossbar as the 3,300 Hibs’ fans behind his goal became nervously quieter.

That forced Maloney into a double substitution as the Hibs boss ensured that his men held on to their slender lead.

With eight minutes remaining Alexander injected fresh and fast legs into the home attack when Woolery replaced Roberts.

Then after Kelly held a Christian Doidge header, Woolery came close to forcing the game into extra-time.

A great break from the middle of the park saw Cornelius and Van Veen combine to release the Well winger but cutting in from the corner of the box his drive screamed across and beyond Macey’s right hand post.

In a final attempt to force an extra 30 minutes Conner Shields came on as ‘Well went four up front for the four added minutes.

Macey was booked for time wasting as Hibs held on to deny the Fir Park men an equaliser their brave second half performance deserved.

Kaiyne Woolery thinks getting to a semi final would mean a great day out for supporters and that a win could put the team back on track.

The manager says his side can still achieve an excellent season and Sunday’s cup match could be a chance to gather some momentum going into the remaining fixtures in the league.

It’s Scottish Cup weekend at Fir Park, as Hibernian visit in the quarter-final on Sunday 13 March.

Kick-off is at 12.30pm.

Ticket information

Tickets are now available to buy online or from the Fir Park ticket office.

If you are a season ticket holder, your normal seat is being held for you until 5pm on Wednesday 9 March. To buy, visit our online ticketing service, log in and go to My Tickets.

Our prices, agreed between both clubs, are:

• Adults: £15
• Over 60s / 16 and 17 year olds / Full-time students: £10
• 15 and under: £5

The ticket office will open at 10am on Sunday for sales and the Cooper Bar will open at 11am on Sunday to home and away fans selling food and drink.

Hibernian fans are asked to buy tickets directly from their club.

Covid restrictions

Due to a change in legislation by the Scottish FA, Covid-19 certification checks will not be in place.

Only venues with over 10,000 in attendance are required to carry out checks.

We advise that all fans take a lateral flow test before travelling to the match, regardless of their vaccination status.

Watch live online

In the UK, the game is being broadcast live on BBC One Scotland.

If you’re based abroad, you can watch via subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Form guide

Motherwell are in a challenging spell of league form going into the fixture. A draw with Dundee last weekend leaves the Steelmen with no league wins to their name in 2022. They have fared better in the cup though, securing wins over Greenock Morton and Aberdeen.

The visitors have only won one of their last ten league games, although they are unbeaten in their last five, with four clean sheets in that spell. Hibernian progressed to the quarter-final with wins against Cove Rangers and Arbroath.

Tale of the tape

Hibernian have the upper hand between the two so far, having won the opening game of the season at Fir Park and drawn the two encounters since.

The visitors have a good record at Fir Park but Motherwell will be looking for some revenge after the Easter Road side put them out the Scottish Cup at this stage last season.

On that occasion the Steelmen clawed their way back from two goals down before eventually losing on penalties.

“The game was there for us to win. But we didn’t force the issue enough.”

It was another difficult afternoon for Motherwell as the Steelmen struggled to overcome bottom club Dundee and had to settle for a point in their bid to climb back into the top six in the cinch Premiership.

Mark McGhee’s relegation-threatened side might have been weakened by injury and illness but they made life difficult for a Well side now 10 league games without a win.

For the ninth game since the winter break, ‘Well found themselves a goal behind, this time as early as six minutes when Paul McMullan gave Dundee a shock lead.

Joe Efford’s first goal for ‘Well levelled the scores after 18 minutes. But despite a late push for a winner it never arrived as Motherwell’s miserable run continued.

After the disappointment of the midweek defeat, Graham Alexander made two changes. Jake Carroll and Connor Shields made way for Juhani Ojala to come back into the centre of the defence, with Ricki Lamie moving across to the left back berth. Joe Efford got the nod to form a front three with Kevin van Veen and Kaiyne Woolery, tasked with finding goals to end their winless run league games.

It wasn’t looking like a case of happy returns for McGhee on his first visit to Fir Park since vacating the manager’s seat. Injuries and Covid restrictions forced the new Dens boss into making five changes including a debut for 20-year-old ‘keeper Harry Sharp.

Clearly Motherwell set out to test the young goalkeeper but it was the Fir Park men who once again found themselves a goal behind.

A high ball from the right floated over the ‘Well goal face and there seemed no danger when Stephen O’Donnell had the time to clear the ball. A slip by the Scotland full back gifted the ball to McMullan who wasted no time in whipping the ball beyond Liam Kelly and put Dundee ahead after less than six minutes.

Recognising nervousness in the home defence, Dundee almost punished further slack play three minutes later when Max Anderson drove narrowly wide of Kelly’s right hand post.

Motherwell’s play lacked cohesion and failed to exert any pressure on the visitor’s defence until they snatched an 18th-minute equaliser. It owed a lot to Van Veen’s determination who kept possession from the middle of the penalty box to the byline, before pulling the ball back to Efford. From the corner of the six-yard box the American’s first effort was blocked but he reacted quickly to smash the loose ball past Sharp to make it 1-1.

That injected some much need life into the home side and within a couple of minutes, Woolery had headed wide before Efford tried to claim a second goal but his drive sailed over the crossbar.

Once the Dens defence regained its composure, though, ‘Well were restricted to very few openings.

Seven minutes from half-time O’Donnell’s weighted ball towards goal found Woolery racing into the six-yard box but his swipe at the ball failed to direct it towards goal.

Woolery was involved again when he was barged to the ground by Ryan Sweeney at the corner of the box. Despite decent claims for a penalty, referee Andrew Dallas waved play on denying ‘Well the chance to take a lead into thehalf-time break. That left the game finely balanced but Motherwell started the second half looking more determined to take all three points.

Despite forcing a couple of early corners, young Sharp remained untested in the Dundee goal as the game approached the hour mark.

Indeed, it was Kelly’s goal that came under threat when McMullan found space to cross into the six-yard box and Declan McDaid hooked the ball over the bar. A minute later McDaid’s shot took a deflection off Shaun Byrne forcing Kelly to pounce on the ball low to his left.

With 15 minutes remaining and ‘Well fans airing their frustrations, Alexander made a double substitution with the introduction of Callum Slattery and Ross Tierney.

Tierney was immediately involved in a three-man move on the right which ended with the ball at Van Veen but from a very tight angle, his powerful drive was palmed behind by Sharp.

Seven minutes from time Van Veen reciprocated when his neat flick set up Tierney but his shot on the run was blocked making it an easy save for Sharp.

As ‘Well desperately pressed for a winner in the closing minutes the young Dundee ‘keeper was finally the centre of the action.

Sharp did well to hold Slattery’s 20-yard drive but did better diving full length to push away Woolery’s low drive which looked destined for the corner of the net and a late winner.

However, it wasn’t to be as Motherwell had to settle for a solitary point from back to back home games.

For someone who’s struggled to find any crumb of luck in the past 12 months, Mark O’Hara is a man full of enthusiasm and positivity.

It hasn’t been without its hardship right enough since Graham Alexander arrived as boss last January. First of all it was a concussion that left him in the treatment room.

After a lengthy recovery from that, the midfielder thought pre-season would be a chance to reset and kick on for this term now fans were back after 2020/21’s lockout.

A hamstring problem thought otherwise but eventually a run in the team came for O’Hara in the Autumn. Again, his injury curse seemed apparent with a quad problem suffered following November’s trip to Pittodrie against Aberdeen.

Just over three months following his knock, a return was made in the Scottish Cup success against November’s foe before a goal in Premiership action against the Dons one week later.

He might be a bit sick of the colour red and Aberdeen by this stage – three of his last four matches coming against Aberdeen – but the goal he scored was a sweet feeling months in waiting.

A one-armed Kevin van Veen and Kaiyne Woolery helped O’Hara in his quest to get it and relief was felt when the Fir Park stands
roared. After months in front of the TV and blood, sweat and tears during his rehab, O’Hara says it was a moment for him to relish.

Part of his latest injury comeback has been credited to his inner circle, who managed to keep his mood high during a period where frustrations began to set in.

“It was good to be back amongst the goals against Aberdeen,” he said. “It is the moment I had been visualising in my head while times were tough. There is no better feeling than scoring.

“So it was a good moment for me to get my name back out on the scoresheet. Kev was playing with one arm for part of the game but he did well to shrug off the defenders and created an opportunity.

“Luckily it fell to my feet and Kaiyne did very well too as he took it down initially. I owe a thanks to them. It was a good time to score and I would have hoped that was the start of us going on to win.

“It wasn’t to be, so I hope there are more goals that lead to three points in the coming games.

“The days were longer (when he was injured) so I hadn’t a chance to pick up any new hobbies or that.

“I was in from after eight to about half-four every day. The days were long and tiring as I worked hard. It was a matter of watching TV and Netflix at night time.

“I enjoyed Stay Close, ‘Don’t F*** With Cats’ was a bit mindblowing. I have a strong group of friends and family. It’s important that you keep your spirits high when you are away from football.

“If you aren’t playing or you have an injury, things can get to you. I had good support groups so I was kept in good spirits while I was out.”

What O’Hara has returned to is a league of finer margins than ever before. Teams from fourth to 10th will fancy their chances of making the top six and potentially a run to European places.

That’s an objective O’Hara is keen to achieve. But there’s another lingering dream living on in the background while fierce competition ensues on the Premiership stage.

For years, fans at Fir Park have sung of a claret and amber ribbon in the merry month of May, without much joy at the end
of it. This year marks 31 years since Motherwell’s last piece of silverware, the 1991 Scottish Cup.

O’Hara hasn’t played at Hampden before and he is keen to have that opportunity by helping his team beat Hibs next weekend in the cup’s quarter-final stage.

The Easter Road side managed to beat Motherwell on penalties last year despite a late comeback from the Steelmen, something that still sits with O’Hara ahead of next week’s contest.

He won’t look too far ahead though, as plenty of crucial Premiership fixtures lie in wait for Alexander’s men. It’s tight, but advancement on two fronts could set up Motherwell for something memorable this season.

“The league is anybody’s in terms of claiming a place in that top six,” O’Hara said. “We will do everything we can to make sure it is us. There are some massive games coming up but every game is at this stage.

“We want to make sure that every game that comes, we will be targeting three points. I don’t ever recall such a small margin separating so many teams. It’s probably exciting for the neutral and people looking in.

“We need to make sure we finish up on a positive note. Our destiny is in our hands. We can potentially have a very special season or we can have a mediocre season. We need to make sure it’s special.

“I want to help the team solidify its place in the top six and make it to Hampden which is something I have never done in my career.

“That Hibs game is massive and perhaps a chance at redemption after they put us out at this stage last year.

“It’s a goal I think for every Scottish player, to make it to Hampden. It’s not something I have managed to achieve yet and I would love to do that with Motherwell.”

O’Hara feels indebted to both clubs taking to the turf at Fir Park today. By the end of this season – barring any more injury concerns – Motherwell will be the club he’s represented most since he left Kilmarnock, but it’s Dundee who helped make him.

After starting at Killie and being played here, there and everywhere in Ayrshire, Dundee manager Paul Hartley made sure O’Hara was to be used in a midfield position.

It’s where he has stayed until this day and outside a stint at centre-back last season, has thrived in claret and amber. O’Hara’s time
at Dens Park was fruitful and it earned him a move to English side Peterborough United.

There have been similarities between his Dens and Fir Park spells, in that he has learned plenty in both stints. It’s something the 26-year-old acknowledges with fondness.

“I loved my time at Dundee and I learnt a lot there,” the ex-Dens battler said. “I spent a couple of seasons there. At Kilmarnock I was used in different positions and was more of a utility man.

“At Dundee, I solidified myself as a midfielder. I learnt a lot from two good managers there in Neil McCann and Paul Hartley. I really enjoyed my time there and it’s been similar to Motherwell in that I have learned from two good managers here too.

“These spells have been good learning curves for me and I hope that they will stand me in good stead.”

With his contract up in the summer, O’Hara’s long-term future is uncertain for the time being.

It’s not something he has had too much time to think about during his rehab and then work back into the Well squad.

His three seasons at Motherwell have all had hitches or disruptions at some stage, which has made it a peculiar time in his career. But
one he has enjoyed all the same.

O’Hara doesn’t expect to just be handed a new deal at Fir Park, he knows he has to play his way there after a spell with injury. The midfielder is in no doubt though that his time in Motherwell has been one he’s very thankful for after initially arriving on loan from Peterborough in 2019.

“This is my third season now,” he added. “It’s been strange as when you say three seasons, that sounds like quite a lot of time. But obviously, one season was disrupted by Covid, then last season was different in terms of there were no fans.

“This season has now been disrupted by injury. I think I have somewhere around 60 appearances and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

“I know that is an old cliché but I genuinely have loved my time here. Hopefully there’s more to come. I have felt pretty settled since I got here.

“I am up and out of contract at the end of the season. With the way the situation was when I was injured, it was difficult to set any long-term goals.

“My goal was to just get playing first and foremost and then just let the football take care of itself. I have not been offered anything as such yet but I am obviously trying to play well to earn it.

“I feel as if I have to make up for lost time and between now and the end of the season, I want to perform as well as I can and help the team earn success.”

The Motherwell boss says there is plenty room for improvement and his side know what they have to do to start picking up results.

Liam Donnelly says there is no panic about recent results and the team can still achieve a good finish in the league.