St Johnstone 1 Motherwell 1: Saints reeled-in after early opener and hold on for a point

The visitors looked the likelier to grab the winner but it was a point each at McDiarmid Park

St Johnstone failed to build on the perfect start and were deservedly reeled-in by Motherwell.

Defender Ryan McGowan had netted a rare - but welcome - opener in the third minute of a game with great importance towards the bottom end of the Premiership.

But Theo Bair, a very familiar face at McDiarmid Park, was on the move at the front post to nod the Steelmen level later in the first half.

The visitors looked the likelier to grab the winner as the match progressed but, in the end, Saints held out for a point.

Wednesday evening’s 1-1 draw with Aberdeen had been marred by VAR controversy which, certainly, did not go in the Perth side’s favour.

It was required again after just three minutes when McGowan bundled over the line following a Matt Smith free-kick into the box.

The check to see if the goal would stand lasted the best part of three minutes before referee Colin Steven was eventually given the green light.

An ideal start but, from here, Saints lost their way and Motherwell began to dominate proceedings all over the park.

Georgie Gent had flashed across a couple of dangerous deliveries before the visitors did deservedly get themselves back on level terms.

That was when, on the half hour mark, Blair Spittal’s cross was neatly flicked in off the post by former Saint Bair.

Skipper Liam Gordon was soon hobbling off injured and that led to a change of shape, with replacement Diallang Jaiyesimi now partnering Benji Kimpioka in the forward department.

Kimpioka showed his pace in the 37th minute to latch onto a chipped ball from Dan Phillips. His touch over goalkeeper Liam Kelly, however, was too heavy and went behind for a goal kick.

He was running in behind again at the start of the second half - this time from Matt Smith’s pass - but his shot which followed was straight at Kelly.

Straight up the other end and Spittal appeared to have the freedom of Perth to receive a cut-back from the right flank. He failed to connect properly, though.

Manager Craig Levein freshened it up on the hour mark by swapping in new signing Connor Smith for Max Kucheriavyi and Nicky Clark for Kimpioka.

But still Saints struggled for energy and Motherwell somehow did not nudge ahead in the 67th minute when Harry Paton was left completely unmarked in the box.

He picked up a Stephen O’Donnell cut-back but fired wide of the far post.

Motherwell's Paton was through on goal in the 84th minute after a wonderful pass from Sam Nicholson. He attempted to round Dimitar Mitov but took the ball too wide.

A rare chance for those in blue arrived late in the day but Jaiyesimi's header from a Connor Smith cross was saved by Kelly.

Saints remain 10th in the Scottish Premiership, nine points clear of bottom of the table Livingston.

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