Kilmarnock 1 Motherwell 0

Paul Quinn
By grabar
October 18 2008

Ten man Motherwell lost at Rugby Park thanks to a late goal from Craig Bryson. Well had looked as though they would take at least a point until Paul Quinn was sent off with 25 minutes left on the clock for a foul on David Fernandez. This was a hard result to take given how well we had played.

Stephen Craigan was left out with his groin injury still causing him problems and he was replaced by David Clarkson. This meant the side contained only three recognied defenders, two midfielders (one of them at right back) and five forwards.

The first half was played out by two sides looking to attack and the major surprise was that there were no goals. Killie came close when Smith saved well from Bryson and then from the rebound from Invincible.

At the other end Sutton slid a couple of efforts off target before Combe saved well from Murphy low at his front post.

The second half was a much scrappier affair with neither side getting the ball down as they looked for the vital three points. The game was to turn on Paul Quinn's sending off.

The defender got on the wrong side of David Fernandez as he broke clear and he was forced to haul him down at the edge of the box and the ref was left with no option to show a red card.

It looked as though we had ridden the storm as the game moved into the final minutes. Then just as the clock ticked towards 90 Killie stole the three points. A Jamie Hammill free kick spun into the air and found Bryson, looking offside, to stroke the ball past Smith.

This was rough justice on Motherwell as they had been the better side at 11 v 11 and looked comfortable when they were down to 10 men.