St Mirren boss Danny Lennon commends Jim Goodwin strike

Goodwin netted the goal that drew St Mirren level at Fir Park

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon set aside praise for Jim Goodwin's equaliser in the Buddies' 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Fir Park.

Goodwin's 35-yard screamer cancelled out a Michael Higdon header shortly after the break to earn the Paisley side a point from the match.

"It was a wonderful strike," said Lennon. "He's capable of that. He shows it every other day in training.

"It was a worthy goal to get any team back into a game."

Higdon nodded the opener for Motherwell immediately after the restart, rising above the St Mirren defence to meet a Nicky Law cross at the back post.

But the hosts' lead was short-lived as, barely 10 minutes later, Goodwin sent in a shot from distance that left Motherwell keeper Darren Randolph no chance.

Lennon felt it was exactly what his side needed to get back into the tempo of the match and praised both teams for a positive encounter that entertained the crowd.

"Jim showed that ability in the League Cup against St Johnstone," said Lennon. "We encourage it, we encourage them to have pops at goal.

"We really kicked on well from that, but I must give both sets of players a lot of credit for a very entertaining match today.

"The only disappointment for the good crowd that turned out was that there wasn't more goals in it for them.

"Both goalkeepers also had wonderful saves throughout the game and played a wonderful part and Kenny McLean was wonderful today too.

"The only thing he didn't do was wrap it all off with a goal - his performance certainly deserved one.

"The way the two teams went out to win the game but the manner in which they tried to play, it was like watching a game of tennis. It was absolutely wonderful."

The only contentious moment in the match at Fir Park occurred when Shaun Hutchinson appeared to pull down St Mirren's Jeroen Tesselaar on the edge of the penalty area.

Feferee Calum Murray blew for what appeared to be a penalty. However, controversy reigned when Murray consulted his asssistant and subsequently penalised Tesselaar for offside.

Lennon declined to make an issue of the decision and insisted that his side's positive performance was more worthy of discussion.

"I have the fortune of going in and watching it - the linesman and the referee don't," said Lennon. "It went against us - sometimes they go for you, sometimes they don't.

"But I don't want to focus on that or take anything away from my players and the way they conducted themselves.

"That's two weeks in a row we've come back from being down.

"The level of performances are creeping back up to what we believe in and how we can play.

"They showed another side to their strength with a strong character and mentality."