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Devante Cole scored his first Motherwell goal, and Mark Gillespie saved a St Johnstone penalty, as the Steelmen won 1-0 at McDiarmid Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

“We can play a lot better. So to come here and get the win shows the character of the side.”

Stephen Robinson was happy to leave St Johnstone with the victory after a dogged performance in Perth.

Motherwell ground out a 1-0 win at St Johnstone to go third in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Devante Cole’s goal, and a penalty save from Mark Gillespie, made the difference in a dogged performance by the visitors.

Stephen Robinson made one enforced change from the team which lost to Ross County, with Richard Tait coming in for the suspended Jake Carroll.

After a scrappy start, Motherwell should have had the lead with 15 minutes played.

James Scott’s driving run to the byline saw him flash the ball across the face of goal, where Cole was waiting.

With the ball slightly behind him, he managed to scoop his shot over the bar.

He would make up for his error with two minutes left in the half. Liam Polworth’s corner was met brilliantly by Declan Gallagher at the back post, with his knock down met by Cole to sweep into the net.

St Johnstone came out in the second half determined to arrest a run which had seen them fail to win in their opening six league matches.

After big shouts for a penalty when Stevie May went down in the area, they would get one with 10 minutes gone in the second half.

Murray Davidson was taken out in the air by Richard Tait, presenting Scott Tanser with the chance to equalise from the spot.

Gilliespie had proved Tanser’s nemesis last season from 12 yards, and the goalkeeper would keep up his outstanding penalty save record, getting down to claw away the kick.

The hosts continued to push and push, as Motherwell had to dig in to ensure they didn’t surrender the lead.

Liam Donnelly’s stoppage-time red card for a stamp on Christopher Kane came too late to make a difference for the hosts, as Motherwell moved to third with the win.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Hartley, Gallagher, Tait, Donnelly, Campbell, Polworth, Scott (Ilic) Seedorf (Hylton), Cole (Long).

Subs: Carson, Maguire, O’Hara, Mugabi.

There’s live video and audio available from St Johnstone v Motherwell on Saturday.

We’ve a live stream of the match available to viewers outside of the UK and Ireland for just £12 a month.

To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland and can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ve also got live audio commentary of the match for just £5.99 a month.

Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to sign up. Just choose the UK/Ireland commentary option.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

Fans can pay at the gate at Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership match with St Johnstone.

Supporters will be in the north end of the west stand. Fans travelling by car are asked to follow “away supporters” road signs for ease of access to the ground.

*Under 13s tickets are free of charge with any full paying adult or over 65 ticket, restricted to a maximum of two per adult/senior ticket.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Stephen Robinson says Motherwell are in for a difficult task at St Johnstone on Saturday, as the Steelmen look to bounce back from defeat to Ross County last weekend.

Here’s what he had to say to the media on Friday.

On the trip to McDiarmid Park

“[It’s] a very difficult one, based on results over recent years. It’s a very tough venue to go to.

“I think St Johnstone’s league position doesn’t suggest what a decent squad they’ve got.

“It’s a few games into the season. That’s all it is. League tables at this moment in time aren’t too much to take concern over.

“They’ve made some good signings. They are an experienced side. They’ve got a lot of players who have played football at decent levels.

“Tommy always has them organised. It’ll be a very tough game. We are going with no illusions whatsoever.

“We have to earn the right to play football. And try to take the game to them as well.

“We’ve got people who can win the game as well. But we also have to be solid.

“It’ll be a difficult game for us, but one we will definitely be up for.”

On St Johnstone’s strengths

“When you look on paper, they’ve got a lot of good players.

“Players that can hurt you.  The two wide players are very exciting players. Drey Wright coming back to full fitness as well.

“Murray Davidson, a player I’ve admired for a long time and is the heartbeat of their team.

“We will be very prepared for them. They are a decent side, as I say.”

On Charles Dunne’s injury

“[He has] a very similar injury on the other side of his groin. It’s unfortunate that Charles is going to miss a large chunk of the season again.

“We probably won’t see  him before Christmas.

“David Devine, one of the younger boys  we have massive hopes for, he has a crack in his cheekbone after a reserve game.

“We are a little bit light in that area, so the fact we have Bevis Mugabi is a blessing for us. A boy of experience that late on, and that good a player that late on, we are very happy with that signing.

“Charles is the most positive guy I’ve ever come across.

“I’ve worked with Charles and he had injury problems at Oldham. Charles doesn’t get anything normal. It’s things that are way out there that physios haven’t seen before and strange injuries.

“It’s a big disappointment for him. But knowing Charles, he will come back fitter, he will come back stronger.”

Charles Dunne will spend three to four months out as he recovers from a groin injury.

The defender underwent surgery this week, after scans showed the need to go under the knife.

“Losing Charles again for a prolonged period of time is a blow,” said manager Stephen Robinson.

“He has shown how influential a figure he is for us in the centre of defence and in the dressing room.

“With young David Devine also out for six weeks, it highlights the importance of bringing in Bevis Mugabi to keep the competition high for places.

“We wish Charles a full and speedy recovery.”

Charles has made 77 appearances for the club since joining in the summer of 2017.

St Johnstone play host to Motherwell on Saturday, as the Steelmen look to bounce back from defeat last weekend.

The Saints are currently propping up the Ladbrokes Premiership, but McDiarmid Park remains a difficult venue to take points from.

The story so far

After pipping Motherwell to seventh spot in the 2018/19 season by a point, St Johnstone have found life tougher so far in the new campaign.

The League Cup comes early in pre-season for many, but Tommy Wright’s side struggled more than most, losing to Montrose, Ross County and Forfar Athletic, recording a 4-0 win over Brechin City along the way.

Form guide

St Johnstone are without a win so far in the Ladbrokes Premiership from six matches.

Defeats to Celtic and Rangers may be par for the course, with their other four results turning out three draws and one defeat.

Draws at difficult venues have been picked up, with 2-2 results at both Aberdeen and Hibernian. At home, they’ve drawn with Livingston and lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock.

St Johnstone have conceded 2.83 goals per game on league business this campaign, although there are the mitigating circumstances of losing 7-0 away to Celtic and 4-0 at home to Rangers in their first six games. In attack, they’re averaging 0.83 goals per game in the league.

How they shaped up last time

St Johnstone lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in their weekend defeat to Rangers. David Wotherspoon came in, due to the enforced removal of Jason Holt, who couldn’t play against his parent side.

Three to watch

Jason Kerr

The highly-rated centre back may have been part of a defence which has lost goals, but he remains a key figure and assured figure in the backline.

He is one of the best in the air in the Premiership, with a 64% aerial duel success rate, putting him just behind Declan Gallagher and Christophe Berra.

Michael O’Halloran

St Johnstone’s joint top scorer with two so far in 2019/20, the forward is again looking lively in a dangerous-looking St Johnstone front line.

His January return after a spell in the wilderness with Rangers has seen him gradually get back up to speed, netting at Hibernian and Aberdeen already this campaign.

Stevie May

He’s yet to net for the Saints since his return in the summer window, but being back home at McDiarmid Park makes the striker one to watch out for.

A talented, bustling forward, May hit 20 league goals in his last season with St Johnstone in 2014/15, earning a move to Sheffield Wednesday.

What they said

Manager Tommy Wright: “We have to defend better. We are making far too many mistakes. That is what is causing us so many problems this season.

“As a manager you can make changes – which I don’t think is needed in the back four just now – or you work hard with them individually and as a unit, and keep their confidence high.”

Murray Davidson: “We have gone to places like Pittodrie and Hibs and we feel we have been unlucky not to win those games.

“It is still six games in and we need to start winning matches and go on a run. We need to get that first win as soon as possible.

“We have never set targets and I have always said we need to look at it game by game because it is such a competitive league this season.

“We have some big games coming up and we need to find some consistency to get positive results.”

Team news

Out injured: None

Doubtful: Murray Davidson (knee), Scott Tanser (foot), David Wotherspoon (foot), Stevie May (thigh).

Suspended: None

Allan Campbell, Barry Maguire and James Scott have been called into the Scotland Under 21 squad for their forthcoming double header.

The Motherwell trio, who all featured for their country in the last international break, are in Scot Gemmill’s selection for the matches with Lithuania and Czech Republic.

Scotland sit joint top of their 2021 UEFA European Under 21 qualifying group, having won their opening two matches against San Marino and Croatia.

They host Lithuania at Tynecastle Park on 10 October, before travelling to Uherske Hradiste to take on Czech Republic four days later.

A first trip to Perth in the 2019/20 season comes on Saturday, as Motherwell travel to face St Johnstone.

Stephen Robinson’s men are looking to bounce back from a disappointing end to a three-game winning run on Saturday, and go to a notoriously difficult venue to take on Tommy Wright’s side.

Kick off at McDiarmid Park on Saturday is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell’s 2-1 defeat to Ross County ended a three-game run of wins, which had come against Hamilton, Hibernian and Hearts.

Despite defeat, the Steelmen sit fourth in the Ladbrokes Premiership table with six games played, having won three, drawn one and lost two.

St Johnstone’s 4-0 loss to Rangers on Sunday, paired with results elsewhere, means they are the league’s bottom club going into the weekend.

The Saints have drawn three and lost three of their six league games so far, scoring five and conceding 17.

They also endured a difficult League Cup campaign, losing to Montrose, Ross County and Forfar Athletic. A sole victory came against Brechin City, as they were eliminated at the group stage.

Head to head

Motherwell and St Johnstone met twice at McDiarmid Park in the 2018/19 campaign, with both sides claiming a win apiece.

The Saints won the most recent encounter back in May, with Scott Tanser and Murray Davidson netting in a 2-0 win.

Previously, Tom Aldred and Danny Johnson’s early double did the damage in a 2-1 victory for Motherwell in December.

Ticket information

Tickets are available online directly from St Johnstone, from our Motherwell ticket website or from the Fir Park ticket office. You can also pay at the gate.

Supporters will be in the north end of the west stand.

*Tickets are free of charge with any full paying adult or over 65 ticket, restricted to a maximum of two per adult/senior ticket.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch St Johnstone v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.