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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.

Motherwell continued their run without a win with a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Innes Cameron’s goal in the 48th minute was all that separated the two sides at Rugby Park.

Stuart Kettlewell made four changes to the side that lost to Aberdeen midweek, with O’Donnell, Mugabi, Slattery and Miller being replaced by Blaney, Butcher, Biereth and Bair.

The Steelmen had an early chance as Dan Casey’s deep ball into box found Theo Bair but he headed over the bar from seven yards.

The first forty-five then proved to be a stuffy encounter with chances few and far between.

Liam Kelly was called into action, producing an incredible save from Deas’ close range header in what was the home side’s best first-half chance.

The Steelmen had a couple of chances to go into the break with a lead but neither Wilkinson nor Biereth could find the target. Wilkinson was first to have a go from the edge of the box, with his left footed strike going just wide of the mark. Biereth held the ball up before acrobatically smashing the ball just over the bar on the break.

Minutes after the break the home side took the lead.

A shot from range was parried by Kelly before Watson picked up the rebound and squared it to Cameron who fired into the net.

Motherwell had a great chance to equalise as full-back Paul McGinn broke forward and skipped past his man but his shot on his left foot never looked like beating the goalkeeper on the hour mark.

From then on, the game had very few chances with Motherwell chasing down an equaliser.

Cameron was presented with a golden chance to double the hosts’ lead, but his header at the back post was saved by Kelly again.

Stuart Kettlewell discusses Kilmarnock defeat.

• Tried to change shape
• Quick turnaround
• Fans right to be aggrieved

He has made an instant impact at Motherwell but Mika Biereth is remaining composed as he builds up his match sharpness. 

The Dane has just recovered from a knee injury and has said he doesn’t want to rush back too soon. He says he is thriving in a good group of players and remains confident that results will soon follow for the team.

Lennon Miller has been named in the Scotland’s Under 19 squad.

The group head to Bulgaria for three matches this month in UEFA Under 19 Championship 23/24 Qualifying Round action.

Taking on Bulgaria on Wednesday 15 November, the youngsters will face Andorra on Saturday 18 November. They then face Serbia on Tuesday 21 November before travelling back to Scotland.

• Scotland v Bulgaria 
• 12.30pm KO
• 15th November 
• Stadion Spartak, Varna

• Scotland v Andorra
• 9am KO
• 18th November 
• Stadion Albena 1, Albena

• Scotland v Serbia 
• 12.30pm
• 21st November 
• Stadion Spartak, Varna