Motherwell clinch victory against Ross County to seal fifth spot
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ROSS County slipped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Motherwell in tonight's (Wednesday's) Ladbrokes Premiership battle for fifth spot at the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall.
The result means the Staggies will finish what has still been a memorable campaign in sixth place.Motherwell cannot move from fifth, however, because St Johnstone sealed fourth position thanks to their 2-1 victory against champions Celtic.
Stephen Pearson got Well off to a flying start with a goal after just four minutes, and just 12 minutes later Keith Lasley doubled their advantage.
County substitute Liam Boyce pulled a goal back in the second half, but for all their efforts they could not get another and Pearson netted his second of the evening in stoppage time to add gloss to the result.
Going into this one, County had taken seven points from nine against the Steel Men this season, most notably a sweeping 3-0 home win back in November.
However, since winning the Scottish League Cup in March against Hibs, the Dingwall side had registered just one victory in seven fixtures, with top six achieved on the last afternoon before the split.
That harsh stat hides the fact they have also picked up draws away to St Johnstone, Hearts and Celtic.
Motherwell's form in the second half of the year, under manager Mark McGhee, has been terrific, as he guided them away from the danger zone and comfortably into the top six.
However, three defeats in their last four outings left them with work to do to finish on a high.
Ross County boss Jim McIntyre made just one change from the side which sealed a fine late 1-1 draw away to Hearts at the weekend.
Their weekend goalscorer David Goodwillie, who is on loan from Aberdeen, came in for a start, with captain Andrew Davies missing out because of a knock.
For Motherwell, who lost 2-1 against fourth-placed visitors St Johnstone on Saturday, there were three changes, with keeper Craig Samson, defender Steven Hammell and attacking midfielder Morgaro Gomis.
Early pressure, which began with the concession of a cheap corner by Richard Foster, led to Motherwell's Stephen McManus heading the ball over from a second Steven Hammell set-piece moments later.
However, the visitors marched in front after just four minutes when a swift attack led to Louis Moult taking his place out on the right and cutting it back for Pearson to bury the ball beyond Scott Fox into the net.
Not the start the hosts wanted, but there was plenty of time to correct it.
That was the plan, yet County were 2-0 down after 16 minutes when Well captain Lasley unleashed an unstoppable shot past keeper Fox into the net after Hammell's effort was blocked and it broke kindly for him.
The Staggies did gradually get into the contest, but the final balls in and around the box were letting them down.
Four minutes before half-time, a tempting cross from Jonathan Franks into the box was nodded just past the right post by Goodwillie as they pressed to halve the deficit.
Sub Raffaele De Vita, who replaced Stewart Murdoch in the first half, then whipped in a fine delivery from the left and Goodwillie knocked it just over the bat after Alex Schalk failed to connect as the pair rushed in to try and meet it.
County were much sharper in the second half and it took a decent save from Craig Samson to deny Goodwillie from close range before he kept out the follow-up from sub Liam Boyce, who came on for Franks.
Schalk looked for a way through just before the hour mark, but the sprightly Dutchman drilled the ball over the bar after making space for himself outside a packed penalty box.
Schalk seemed certain to crash home a goal on 67 minutes when sub Brian Graham headed the ball into his path, but his volley flashed wide of the left post.
However, their pressure finally paid off two minutes later when Michael Gardyne cut into the box and his curling shot was pushed by Samson into the path of Boyce was ideally placed just a couple of yards out to head home his 19 goal of the season, only his second of 2016.
With time fast running out for him to make the Northern Ireland squad for the summer's European Championships in France that will be a shot in the arm for him.
Motherwell should have regained their two-goal cushion though just a minute later when Johnson drove wide from eight yards with the goal at his mercy.
Staggies keeper Fox, fresh from signing a contract extensionb until 2019, earned his pay superbly when he got down smartly to save a stinging low effort from Pearson.
Graham almost netted what almost a fantastic leveller when his hooked effort from out wide right dipped under the crossbar and it took a clever Samson save to turn it over the top.
Boyce, late on, drew another save from Samson with a header. That was the closest they came to getting their second goal.
In stoppage time, Motherwell added a third goal when, from a swift counter attack, Johnson cut the ball back and Pearson coolly finished past Fox.
The Staggies round off their historic season, in which they lifted the their first major national trophy, away to Aberdeen on Sunday, with a 12.30pm kick-off at Pittodrie.
Motherwell go to Celtic Park on the same day for the champions' trophy party.
Ross County: Fox, Robertson, Irvine, Woods, Goodwillie (Graham 60), Murdoch (De Vita 35), Gardyne, Foster, Schalk, Franks (Boyce 55), Quinn. Subs not used: Woods (GK), McShane, Boyd, Dingwall.
Motherwell: Samson, Hammell (Chalmers 72), McManus, Cadden, Pearson, Lasley, Hall, Gomis, Johnson, Moult, McDonald. Subs not used: Ripley (GK), Leitch, Campbell, Thomas, Ainsworth, Laing.
Referee: John Beaton.
Attendance: 2976.
