’Well deserved point – but it could have been three

Feb 5 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BATTLING Motherwell fought back to earn a point against Hibs at Easter Road but will be disappointed not to have taken all three.

After Ross Chisholm’s cross was swept past helpless Graeme Smith by Derek Riordan in seven minutes, Motherwell dominated the bulk of play and passed up several good chances.

The visitors’ best chance of a dismal first half fell to Jim O’Brien, but his effort was well saved by Gregorz Szamotulski in 35 minutes.

David Clarkson twice went close, his first effort well-blocked by Rob Jones, before Szamotulski saved the second.

From the resulting corner Hibs hit on the break and Riordan picked out Denes Rosa with a superb crossfield pass, but the Hungarian fired wide.

Riordan saw an 18-yard volley saved by Smith before firing over following good link-up play with Joe Keenan.

After mugging Chris Hogg on the bye-line Clarkson presented Jamie Murphy with a gilt-edged chance but the young striker somehow fired wide.

But Motherwell drew level in 77 minutes when Murphy chased Stevie Hammell’s long ball out of defence but was hauled down inside the box by Steven Thicot and referee Mike McCurry pointed to the spot.

Clarkson stepped up to blast the spot-kick past Szamotulski, but Motherwell just couldn’t find a winner thereafter.

MOTHERWELL: G. Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, O’Brien, Hughes, Klimpl, Fitzpatrick (Murphy, 65), Sutton (D. Smith, 65), Clarkson. Subs (not used): Krysiak, Malcolm, Lasley, McGarry, McHugh.