Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan created a Scottish Premier League record by scoring his eighth own goal in their draw with Dundee United.

The veteran defender bundled in Paul Dixon's low cross under pressure from Johnny Russell after 28 minutes to give the home side the lead.

But Motherwell levelled six minutes from the final whistle when substitute Henrik Ojamaa set up Michael Higdon.

And the striker found the top left corner from inside the six-yard box.

Both sides had been in indifferent form of late, with United sitting in the bottom half of the table and Motherwell dropping down to fourth after spending much of the season on the heels of the Old Firm.

Michael Higdon celebrates

Higdon grabbed the equaliser for Motherwell at Tannadice

But both maanger made only one change, Stuart Armstrong came into the United midfield in place of Willo Flood, with the Irishman dropping to the bench.

Steve Jennings returned to central midfield for Motherwell, with Tim Clancy a substitute and Tom Hateley moving to right back.

When Hateley's curling free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, United were thankful that it fell for defender Garry Kenneth to clear.

Gary Mackay-Steven, who has been in fine form for United in recent weeks, was unlucky with a rising drive at the other end after some wonderful skill to open up space.

Omar Daley was operating wide on the Motherwell right in an adventurous 4-3-3 formation, and the Jamaican cut inside and tested Pernis with a low drive after 15 minutes.

United responded to that let-off and captain Jon Daly missed a great headed chance after being picked out at the back post by Stuart Armstrong.

Higdon had been kept quiet by the United back four but broke free to meet Nicky Law's, but the fingertips of Pernis saved the header.

Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph bettered that with a stunning stop from John Rankin's stinging drive but could do nothing to prevent United taking the lead with a superbly worked goal.

Paul Dixon was the provider with a wonderful run down the left wing and his low cross was bundled over the line by a combination of Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan and United striker Johnny Russell.

Craigan was credited with the final touch, meaning he has set an SPL record of eight own goals.

Motherwell continued to create chances and Keith Lasley's long-range drive was held by Pernis, while the Slovakian also denied Higdon after great work from Steve Jennings.

Randolph made a good save from Russell's low shot, while Daly also missed a good chance after a swift United breakaway.

The impressive Mackay-Steven then danced away from three challenges and flashed a drive into the side-netting.

Both sides tightened up after the break, although Jamie Murphy's low drive was expertly gathered by Dusan Pernis.

Motherwell were starting to pin United back and Higdon was inches away from connecting with Nicky Law's cross in the 69th minute.

However, the big striker was not to be denied after recent Estonian signing Ojamaa made his mark to secure a draw in an enthralling game.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (4)

Dundee United

  • 01 Pernis
  • 02 Dillon
  • 03 Dixon
  • 05 Kenneth
  • 26 Neilson Booked (Gunning - 67' )
  • 08 Robertson
  • 11 Rankin
  • 16 Armstrong (Ryan - 75' )
  • 17 Mackay-Steven (Swanson - 81' )
  • 09 Daly
  • 15 Russell

Substitutes

  • 13 Banks
  • 14 Douglas
  • 18 Gunning
  • 06 Flood
  • 07 Ryan
  • 10 Swanson
  • 22 Dow

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph
  • 03 Hammell
  • 05 Craigan Booked
  • 15 Hutchinson
  • 04 Law
  • 06 Hateley
  • 08 Jennings
  • 14 Lasley
  • 17 Daley (Ojamaa - 61' )
  • 09 Higdon
  • 11 Murphy

Substitutes

  • 31 Bradley
  • 22 Clancy
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 26 Carswell
  • 16 McHugh
  • 18 Forbes
  • 24 Ojamaa
Ref: O'Reilly
Att: 5,969

Match Stats

Shots

11 9

On target

4 6

Corners

2 8

Fouls

9 9

Live Text Commentary

92:32

The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +1:59

Scott Robertson produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.

90:00 +1:11

Shaun Hutchinson concedes a free kick for a foul on Johnny Russell. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Paul Dixon, Michael Higdon manages to make a clearance.

86:22

Floated corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley played to the near post, Scott Robertson manages to make a clearance.

84:49

Assist by Henrik Ojamaa.

84:49 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Higdon - Dundee U 1 - 1 Motherwell A goal is scored by Michael Higdon from inside the six-yard box to the top left corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 1-1 Motherwell.

84:43

Henrik Ojamaa delivers the ball,

83:59

Jamie Murphy takes a shot. Save by Dusan Pernis.

82:47

Effort from inside the area by Michael Higdon misses to the right of the target.

82:29

A cross is delivered by Nicky Law, Gavin Gunning manages to make a clearance.

81:56

John Rankin takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.

80:36 Substitution

Substitution Danny Swanson comes on in place of Gary Mackay-Steven.

78:45

Floated corner taken from the right by-line by Tom Hateley, Sean Dillon manages to make a clearance. Floated corner taken from the left by-line by Tom Hateley, save made by Dusan Pernis.

77:35

Shot by Johnny Russell from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

76:51

Michael Higdon challenges Garry Kenneth unfairly and gives away a free kick. Garry Kenneth restarts play with the free kick.

76:18

Header from close range by Michael Higdon misses to the right of the target.

74:58

The ball is swung over by Gary Mackay-Steven, clearance by Tom Hateley.

73:48 Substitution

Substitution Richie Ryan joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stuart Armstrong.

73:48

The referee penalises Henrik Ojamaa for handball. Indirect free kick taken by Dusan Pernis.

73:19

Short corner worked by Tom Hateley.

70:00

Floated corner taken from the left by-line by Tom Hateley.

69:04

Stephen Craigan delivers the ball.

68:35

Corner taken by Tom Hateley, save made by Dusan Pernis.

66:38 Substitution

Substitution Robbie Neilson leaves the field to be replaced by Gavin Gunning.

64:33

Robbie Neilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Henrik Ojamaa. Shot comes in from Stevie Hammell from the free kick.

61:50 Booking

Booking Stephen Craigan shown a yellow card.

60:41 Substitution

Substitution Omar Daley leaves the field to be replaced by Henrik Ojamaa.

60:41

Scott Robertson challenges Omar Daley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Stephen Craigan restarts play with the free kick.

54:26

Centre by Johnny Russell, Stephen Craigan manages to make a clearance. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven played to the near post, clearance made by Jamie Murphy.

52:42

Steve Jennings concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven. Paul Dixon crosses the ball in from the free kick.

52:30

Centre by Nicky Law, clearance by Garry Kenneth.

52:04

Corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley, clearance by Robbie Neilson.

51:50

Foul by Jon Daly on Nicky Law, free kick awarded. Nicky Law takes the indirect free kick.

50:55

The ball is delivered by Tom Hateley.

50:16

Tom Hateley takes the inswinging corner, save made by Dusan Pernis.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +0:12

The referee calls an end to the first half.

43:57

Tom Hateley delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing.

43:57 Booking

Booking Robbie Neilson receives a caution.

43:42

Free kick awarded for a foul by Robbie Neilson on Omar Daley.

42:45

The ball is delivered by Gary Mackay-Steven, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

42:01

Foul by Michael Higdon on Sean Dillon, free kick awarded. Sean Dillon takes the indirect free kick.

40:05

Foul by Sean Dillon on Michael Higdon, free kick awarded. Tom Hateley delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left channel.

38:52

Effort from outside the penalty box by Gary Mackay-Steven goes wide left of the target.

37:26

Robbie Neilson challenges Omar Daley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Stevie Hammell.

36:36

The ball is crossed by John Rankin, Headed effort from inside the area by Jon Daly misses to the right of the goal.

33:49

Nicky Law takes a shot. Save by Dusan Pernis.

32:40

Johnny Russell takes a shot. Darren Randolph gets a block in.

30:53

Michael Higdon takes a shot. Save by Dusan Pernis.

29:48

Keith Lasley takes a shot. Save by Dusan Pernis.

27:07

The assist for the goal came from Paul Dixon.

27:07 Goal scored

Goal - Stephen Craigan - Dundee U 1 - 0 Motherwell Stephen Craigan scores an own goal from 6 yards. Dundee Utd 1-0 Motherwell.

25:39

A cross is delivered by Paul Dixon, Effort from the edge of the area by John Rankin goes wide of the left-hand post.

24:16

John Rankin takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.

23:07

Foul by Tom Hateley on Gary Mackay-Steven, free kick awarded. Paul Dixon crosses the ball in from the free kick, save made by Darren Randolph.

22:58

Stevie Hammell crosses the ball, Dusan Pernis manages to make a clearance.

19:53

Stuart Armstrong is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

19:09

Keith Lasley produces a cross, Paul Dixon manages to make a clearance.

15:11

Stuart Armstrong sends in a cross, Jon Daly has a header from close range and clears the crossbar.

14:41

Unfair challenge on Sean Dillon by Michael Higdon results in a free kick. Sean Dillon restarts play with the free kick.

13:03

Unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by Stuart Armstrong results in a free kick. Stevie Hammell crosses the ball in from the free kick.

12:50

Unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by Stuart Armstrong results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Keith Lasley.

10:37

Paul Dixon fouled by Omar Daley, the ref awards a free kick. Dusan Pernis takes the indirect free kick.

9:04

Omar Daley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven. Indirect free kick taken by John Rankin.

8:04

John Rankin takes a shot. Blocked by Stephen Craigan.

7:51

Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Garry Kenneth. Indirect free kick taken by Garry Kenneth.

5:13

Gary Mackay-Steven produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the goal.

3:22

John Rankin concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Murphy. Shot comes in from Tom Hateley from the free kick, save made by Dusan Pernis.

2:01

The ball is crossed by Nicky Law, save by Dusan Pernis.

0:27

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven, clearance made by Michael Higdon.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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