By Pride of Lanarkshire
January 24 2004

Motherwell's poor record at East End Park continued as Dunfermline ran out 1 - 0 winners. A Derek Young overhead kick with 15 minutes remaining gave the home side maximum points to put them within 3 points of third place Hearts.





The afternoon didn't start out well for Terry Butcher after Gordon Marshall suffered an injury during the warm up and was replaced in the starting line up by Barry John Corr. Under 18 goalkeeper Andy Reid got a suprise place on the bench. Phil O'Donnell made his first start since returning to Fir Park taking over for the injured Scott Leitch who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.


Motherwell cold have taken the lead early in the match when Burns found himself through on goal but Stillie in the Pars goal saved well and David Clarkson was unlucky not to score from the rebound.


That was enough to scare Dunfermline and for most of the first half the home side had most of the possession but couldn't put the ball in the net. Craig Brewster came the closest but his effort landed on top of the net.


O'Donnell missed a great chance to open the scoring, David Clarkson sent his uncle through on goal but his shot hit the side netting.


Then came the sucker punch, an overhead kick from Stevie Crawford was met by a second overhead kick from Derek Young beating Corr on his Motherwell debut.



Dunfermline -

Stillie,

Nicholson,

Scott Wilson,

Skerla,

Scott Thomson,

Dempsey,

Darren Young,

Mason,

Derek Young,

Crawford,

Brewster.




Motherwell -

Corr,

Quinn,

Corrigan,

Craigan,

Hammell,

Lasley,

Adams,

O'Donnell,

Dair,

Burns,

Clarkson.


Referee - Dougie MacDonald



Attendance - 5,270