By grabar
January 3 2009

Motherwell travelled to Love St knowing they were a side show compared to the real stuff surrounding the fact this was the last game to be played there. We had to settle for a point as the curtain came down on League football at the famous old ground. We couldn’t quite spoil the party, although we did miss a couple of decent chances and also had a couple of decent penalty claims turned down.

The major talking point in the early stages was the performance of referee Alan Muir, who confused both sets of fans and players with a string of bizarre decisions.

This was much harder to understand given his harsh seventh minute booking of Saints Hugh Murray.

In-between these decisions, a game of football was trying to break out and Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith did well to block Andy Dorman's shot on the turn.

At the other end, Chris Potter headed a David Clarkson cross just over the bar.

St Mirren dominated the bulk of possession in the first half but it was Motherwell who created the only other decent chance before the break.

Another Clarkson cross landed in the six-yard box but Keith Lasley's shot on the slide was blocked by Mark Howard.

The visitors then started well after the break with Howard saving at full-length from Jim O'Brien.

Minutes later, the keeper was in action once again this time to deny Clarkson after a fine driving run.

The Saints responded with a fine swerving shot from sub Craig Dargo which was well saved by Smith.

Motherwell had a late shout for a penalty when Paul Quinn appeared to be tripped at the edge of the box but the referee gave nothing. 

In the end a point was a decent enough result and we can now move on to the Hearts game on Wednesday. Keith Lasley will be missing from this game as his yellow card today will see him suspended for the visit of Hearts. Marc Fitzpatrick missed out today thanks to a sore throat but could be back in contention by Wednesday.