Seventeen-year-old Thomas Reilly's stoppage-time equaliser for St Mirren prevented Motherwell going top of the Scottish Premier League.

Michael Higdon had continued his habit of scoring in Motherwell versus St Mirren encounters at Fir Park to fire the home side ahead after two minutes.

But St Mirren took control after the break and Well's Shaun Hutchinson was red carded for the second game running.

Well paid for that when sub Reilly fired late on for a deserved point.

Higdon has scored in the last three meetings of the sides at Fir Park - and both clubs

Higdon has scored in the last three meetings of the sides at Fir Park - and both clubs

Three points would have put Motherwell a point ahead of Celtic in the SPL, but they instead lie a point behind the reigning champions, who also have a game in hand.

Well handed first starts to 19-year-olds Steven Hetherington and Fraser Kerr with Chris Humphrey on the bench after picking up a knock in the 2-0 defeat to Levante on Thursday evening and Tom Hateley missing out for the first time in 143 games.

Stuart McCall's side quickly overcame their Europa League blues with a goal after just over a minute gone.

A ball played through skidded fairly high on the greasy surface, it was mis-read by Lee Mair and Higdon took a touch and slotted it beyond Craig Samson.

The striker has now scored in the last three meetings between the sides at Fir Park, the first of those as a Buddies player.

St Mirren, often criticised for being too deliberate in their passing football, recovered from that early blow and were looking to move the ball quicker upfield.

Buddies boss Danny Lennon had made one change from the side that fell to a 2-1 defeat by Hibernian, David Van Zanten coming into the defence for long-term injury victim Darren McGregor.

However, St Mirren were steady at the back and a threat going forward and only an excellent stop by goalkeeper Darren Randolph prevented the influential Paul McGowan from levelling the scoring after a neat through ball from Graham Carey on 17 minutes.

Sam Parkin also headed wide of the target, while Well's Henrik Ojamaa flashed an effort just wide.

Steven Thompson passed up a good opportunity to level the game six minutes before the break - losing his footing as he prepared to have an effort on goal.

Higdon had a chance to extend the lead but could only produce a weak effort directly at Samson, but it was all St Mirren after the break.

Kenny McLean and Carey tested Randolph, while Well's Jamie Murphy and Higdon blazed efforts high over the bar.

Hutchinson received a yellow card for dissent with 10 minutes remaining and seven minutes later was shown another after he lunged in on Reilly.

Carey stung the palms of Randolph from distance before Reilly bundled in the equaliser after Randolph did brilliantly to deny Thompson.

Lineup, Bookings (7) & Substitutions (6)

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph
  • 03 Hammell Booked
  • 05 Hutchinson Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 19 Kerr
  • 30 Cummins
  • 04 Law (Carswell - 70' )
  • 14 Lasley
  • 27 Hetherington Booked
  • 08 Ojamaa (Francis-Angol - 76' )
  • 09 Higdon
  • 11 Murphy (Humphrey - 64' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Hollis
  • 20 Page
  • 26 Francis-Angol
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 17 Daley
  • 18 Carswell
  • 16 McHugh

St Mirren

  • 01 Samson
  • 02 van Zanten
  • 05 Mair Booked
  • 14 McAusland
  • 06 Goodwin
  • 10 McGowan Booked (Robertson - 89' )
  • 11 Carey Booked
  • 17 Mclean
  • 07 Imrie (Teale - 69' )
  • 09 Thompson
  • 19 Parkin (Reilly - 78' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Smith
  • 23 Barron
  • 08 Robertson
  • 21 Teale
  • 20 Reilly
  • 28 Smith
  • 29 McGinn
Ref: Norris
Att: 4,559

Match Stats

Shots

5 17

On target

2 8

Corners

2 11

Fouls

19 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:29 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +3:17

Assist on the goal came from Steven Thompson.

90:00 +3:17 Goal scored

Goal - Thomas Reilly - Motherwell 1 - 1 St Mirren Thomas Reilly scores a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Motherwell 1-1 St Mirren.

90:00 +2:30

A cross is delivered by Gary Teale, Steven Thompson takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.

90:00 +0:41

Steven Hetherington fouled by Jon Robertson, the ref awards a free kick. Steven Hetherington takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:14

Gary Teale produces a volleyed right-footed shot from 20 yards. Save by Darren Randolph.

87:34

Graham Carey has an effort direct from the free kick, save by Darren Randolph.

87:34 Substitution

Substitution Paul McGowan leaves the field to be replaced by Jon Robertson.

87:34 Dismissal

Dismissal The referee shows Shaun Hutchinson a red card.

87:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Thomas Reilly by Shaun Hutchinson.

86:59

The ball is sent over by Gary Teale, clearance made by Adam Cummins.

85:44

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David van Zanten by Zaine Francis-Angol. Direct free kick taken by Jim Goodwin.

84:31

Free kick crossed left-footed by Graham Carey, Keith Lasley manages to make a clearance.

84:31 Booking

Booking The referee books Steven Hetherington for unsporting behaviour.

84:20

Paul McGowan fouled by Steven Hetherington, the ref awards a free kick.

83:28 Booking

Booking Caution for Shaun Hutchinson.

80:10

A cross is delivered by Kenny McLean, blocked by Fraser Kerr. The ball is crossed by Kenny McLean, Shot by Lee Mair from inside the six-yard box clear the bar.

79:44

Gary Teale sends in a cross.

79:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Thompson by Adam Cummins. Jim Goodwin takes the free kick.

76:57 Substitution

Substitution Sam Parkin leaves the field to be replaced by Thomas Reilly.

76:57

Michael Higdon produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.

76:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Graham Carey by Chris Humphrey. Craig Samson restarts play with the free kick.

75:47 Substitution

Substitution Henrik Ojamaa goes off and Zaine Francis-Angol comes on.

74:25

Free kick taken by Henrik Ojamaa.

74:25 Booking

Booking Graham Carey goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

74:20

Unfair challenge on Chris Humphrey by Graham Carey results in a free kick.

74:03

The ball is crossed by Gary Teale.

73:22

Steven Hetherington takes the free kick.

73:22 Booking

Booking Paul McGowan is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

73:17

Paul McGowan challenges Keith Lasley unfairly and gives away a free kick.

71:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by Jim Goodwin. Darren Randolph takes the direct free kick.

71:32

Unfair challenge on Steven Thompson by Adam Cummins results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Gary Teale.

71:16

The ball is swung over by Fraser Kerr, save by Craig Samson.

68:22 Substitution

Substitution Stewart Carswell on for Nicky Law.

68:22 Substitution

Substitution (St Mirren) makes a substitution, with Gary Teale coming on for Dougie Imrie.

68:22

Effort from the edge of the box by Kenny McLean goes wide of the right-hand upright.

65:57

The ball is delivered by Jim Goodwin, Kenny McLean produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

65:57

Jim Goodwin delivers the ball, Effort on goal by Kenny McLean from inside the area goes harmlessly over the bar.

64:18

Keith Lasley concedes a free kick for a foul on Dougie Imrie. Jim Goodwin restarts play with the free kick.

62:50 Substitution

Substitution Chris Humphrey comes on in place of Jamie Murphy.

62:50

Shot from just outside the box by Jim Goodwin misses to the left of the target.

62:25

Jim Goodwin takes a shot.

61:17

Curled right-footed shot by Paul McGowan. Save made by Darren Randolph. Corner taken by Graham Carey from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Shaun Hutchinson.

60:11

Foul by Shaun Hutchinson on Dougie Imrie, free kick awarded. Graham Carey crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson. Graham Carey takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Michael Higdon makes a clearance.

58:59

Foul by Michael Higdon on Lee Mair, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Craig Samson.

58:45

The ball is crossed by Henrik Ojamaa, clearance made by Lee Mair.

57:08

Michael Higdon concedes a free kick for a foul on Lee Mair. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Graham Carey, Darren Randolph makes a save.

56:37

A cross is delivered by Jamie Murphy, Lee Mair makes a clearance.

55:36

The ball is swung over by Graham Carey, Darren Randolph makes a save.

54:42

The ball is crossed by David van Zanten, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

53:03

Kenny McLean crosses the ball.

51:47

Jamie Murphy takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

50:19

David van Zanten delivers the ball, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

48:56

Kenny McLean takes a shot. Save made by Darren Randolph. Graham Carey takes a outswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Michael Higdon.

48:14

Adam Cummins gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Paul McGowan. Lee Mair takes the direct free kick.

47:54

Foul by Fraser Kerr on Kenny McLean, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Graham Carey.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +0:17 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

44:46

Shot from 20 yards from Michael Higdon. Save made by Craig Samson.

42:15

David van Zanten sends in a cross, Sam Parkin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fraser Kerr. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

39:56

Unfair challenge on Fraser Kerr by Dougie Imrie results in a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Nicky Law, Marc McAusland manages to make a clearance. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Steven Hetherington.

39:36

The referee blows for offside. Craig Samson restarts play with the free kick.

38:42

The ball is sent over by Steven Thompson, Effort on goal by Kenny McLean from 12 yards.

37:43

The referee gives a free kick against Henrik Ojamaa for handball. Direct free kick taken by Graham Carey.

36:53

Henrik Ojamaa produces a cross, save made by Craig Samson.

35:24

The ball is delivered by Dougie Imrie, clearance by Adam Cummins.

33:31

Effort from deep inside the area by Henrik Ojamaa misses to the right of the goal.

32:49

A cross is delivered by Dougie Imrie, blocked by Fraser Kerr. A cross is delivered by Dougie Imrie.

31:55

Shot from 35 yards by Paul McGowan missed to the left of goal.

30:44

Keith Lasley is penalised for a handball. Jim Goodwin takes the free kick.

29:22

Steven Thompson concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Hutchinson. Adam Cummins restarts play with the free kick.

28:05

Jim Goodwin challenges Nicky Law unfairly and gives away a free kick. Stevie Hammell restarts play with the free kick.

27:20

The ball is delivered by Graham Carey, Header on goal by Sam Parkin from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

25:45

Adam Cummins challenges David van Zanten unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Graham Carey, clearance made by Henrik Ojamaa. Inswinging corner taken by Dougie Imrie from the right by-line played to the near post, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Dougie Imrie, Shaun Hutchinson makes a clearance.

25:24

Henrik Ojamaa concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul McGowan. Direct free kick taken by Lee Mair.

24:17

The ball is delivered by Dougie Imrie, Steven Hetherington manages to make a clearance.

23:23

Fraser Kerr sends in a cross.

22:57

Henrik Ojamaa concedes a free kick for a foul on David van Zanten. Direct free kick taken by David van Zanten.

21:53

Graham Carey crosses the ball, Header from close in by Steven Thompson misses to the right of the goal.

21:31

Dougie Imrie decides to take a short corner.

20:01

The ball is sent over by Henrik Ojamaa, David van Zanten manages to make a clearance.

18:58

A cross is delivered by David van Zanten.

18:38

Foul by Shaun Hutchinson on Steven Thompson, free kick awarded. Jim Goodwin takes the direct free kick.

18:01

Paul McGowan crosses the ball, Shaun Hutchinson makes a clearance. The ball is swung over by Paul McGowan, Shaun Hutchinson makes a clearance.

17:12

Paul McGowan takes a shot from 18 yards. Darren Randolph makes a save. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Dougie Imrie, save by Darren Randolph.

15:25

Dougie Imrie delivers the ball.

14:49

Centre by Paul McGowan, clearance made by Stevie Hammell. Short corner worked by Dougie Imrie.

14:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jim Goodwin by Michael Higdon. Direct free kick taken by Jim Goodwin.

13:50

Free kick awarded for a foul by Dougie Imrie on Keith Lasley. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

12:46

Michael Higdon delivers the ball.

12:01

Graham Carey produces a cross, Adam Cummins makes a clearance.

11:47

David van Zanten fouled by Michael Higdon, the ref awards a free kick. Paul McGowan restarts play with the free kick.

11:13

Jim Goodwin fouled by Michael Higdon, the ref awards a free kick. Jim Goodwin takes the free kick.

9:31

Stevie Hammell crosses the ball in from the free kick.

9:31 Booking

Booking Lee Mair booked for unsporting behaviour.

9:25

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Murphy by Lee Mair.

7:48

Corner taken left-footed by Dougie Imrie.

7:03

The ball is crossed by Dougie Imrie, Adam Cummins makes a clearance. Corner taken by Dougie Imrie from the right by-line, clearance made by Stevie Hammell.

6:28

David van Zanten handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Keith Lasley takes the free kick.

5:11

The ball is delivered by David van Zanten, Henrik Ojamaa makes a clearance.

4:23

Fraser Kerr produces a cross, blocked by Jim Goodwin. Corner taken by Steven Hetherington, save made by Craig Samson.

3:35

Kenny McLean crosses the ball, blocked by Stevie Hammell.

1:08 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Higdon - Motherwell 1 - 0 St Mirren Goal scored by Michael Higdon from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Motherwell 1-0 St Mirren.

0:00

The match gets underway.

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