By grabar
February 22 2009

Motherwell moved into the top six this afternoon after taking a point from Champions Celtic at Fir Park

Motherwell were forced to make a change from the side who played against St. Mirren on Thursday with Cillian Sheridan forced to miss out as part of his loan agreement being replaced by John Sutton.

As in many recent games the Fir Park pitch was in poor condition forcing both teams to play the ball from back to front and missing out the midfield.

The first half saw Celtic create a couple of decent chances with Scott McDonald shooting over from 15 yards, Vennegoor of Hesselink also headed wide before Graeme Smith made a fine one handed save from McDonald.

Motherwell had little to show for their efforts apart from a couple of blocked shots from Fitzpatrick and Clarkson.

Celtic took the lead in the 59th minue when Craigan made a hash of a clearance allowing McDonald a chance to have a shot. The shot took a really strange bounce in front of Smith and left the keeper helpless.

There was little between the teams until Motherwell forced an equaliser in the 82nd minute. Jim O'Brien's cross was half cleared by the Celtic defence before falling kindly for Paul Quinn to steer a shot into the bottom left hand corner.

Celtic hit Motherwell with a late bombardment with Samaras coming close with a header but Well held on for a point that sees them move ahead of Hibs and Hamilton in the top six.