Motherwell picked up the bonus point in the cinch Reserve League cup this afternoon against Kilmarnock at K-Park by winning the penalty shootout 4-2, with the game ending 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Fraser Murray put Kilmarnock ahead with ten minutes remaining but Olly Crankshaw levelled the game in the 89th minute to take the game to the shootout.
Aston Oxborough would go on to save two out of Kilmarnock’s four penalties in the shootout, with Motherwell converting all four of their spot kicks.
It would be a game of few chances in the first half. Crankshaw had the ball in the net midway through the first period. The winger cut inside onto his right foot before finishing into the top corner but was adjudged to have been offside by the officials.
Oxborough was called into action to save Bobby Wales’ effort, which looked to be finishing into the corner. The Englishman got his hand to it to clear it away.
Oxborough would be involved again in the second half, with two saves from distance to keep the game level.
But Kilmarnock would dominate the ball more as the half went on and would make it count on 79 minutes. Kian Leslie crossed the ball into the danger area after some good work on the wing and Murray was on hand to head into the far corner to open the scoring.
The goal would kick Motherwell back into life and Crankshaw fired Motherwell on level terms in one of the last actions of the game. Crankshaw picked up the ball and drilled an effort from 20-yards into the bottom corner. 1-1.
Motherwell would have a golden chance to win the game after 90 minutes. Some good work from Ross Tierney would unleash Crankshaw who went through on goal but his effort was saved by the keeper.
Daniel Hunter, Stuart McKinstry and Olly Crankshaw all scored from the spot. Oxborough would save Kerr McInroy’s spot kick, with a strong hand to the bottom right.
Killie would score their next penalty however Oxborough got down well to the bottom right to save Murray’s effort from 12-yards.
Ross Tierney stepped up knowing if he finished, he would secure the bonus point for his side and he did just that, sending the keeper the wrong way.