Motherwell suffered defeat in their final matchday of the 2023/24 SPFl campaign after St. Johnstone narrowly secured their Premiership Status after a closely-fought meeting at Fir Park.
Nicky Clark broke the deadlock with a composed finish from close-range, with the midfielder prodding home a whipped delivery across the face of goal. Adam Sidibeh capitalised on defensive in-decision to double the Saints advantage moments before the half-time break.
Theo Bair’s missed first-half penalty set the tone for the afternoon with the Steelmen able to only merit a late consolation through striker Mosses Ebiye.
Stuart Kettlewell made three changes from the side which disappointingly lost to Hibs in midweek. Bevis Mugabi started in place of Dan Casey to form a back three, while Harry Paton and Davor Zdravkovski came into the midfield.
With no other option than a win to avoid a relegation play-off, Craig Levein sent out his team to play on the front foot.
The Saints almost found themselves ahead within the opening few minutes. It would have been fortunate after Nicholson’s clearance rebounded off the back of Clark sending the ball high towards the net until Kelly produced a marvellous double save, clawing the ball back before completing the clearance with his feet as Graham Carey raced in on the loose ball.
Kelly had to beat another powerful drive from Cammy Macpherson before a water break midway through the half.
Motherwell struggled to find their rhythm as the first-half progressed, but were given a lifeline back into the game shortly after.
Georgie Gent’s corner into a packed box struck a hand and referee Colin Steven didn’t require a VAR check to confirm his decision to award a penalty.
Bair stepped up but similar to his missed spot kick at Dens Park, his low effort to the left allowed Dimitar Mitov to palm the ball off his line before Gent blasted the ball high over the bar.
Motherwell’s misfortunes persisted and in added time, Saints doubled their lead. Mugabi misread a bouncing ball at the edge of the six-yard box and with Kelly stranded, Sidibeth stooped to nod the ball into the net and leave his side two up at the break.
Motherwell looked livelier in the second-half, with Spittal’s corner reaching Miller’s head, but Mitov’s reaction save kept the scoreline intact.
With 15 minutes remaining and a last attempt to take something from the game Luca Ross came on to make it a three man attack with fellow sub Moses Ebiye.
And in added time, it was Ebiye who turned home another cross from Gent, to leave Motherwell with a late consolation to conclude the 2023/24 SPFL campaign.
