Motherwell 1-1 Ross County: Ian Baraclough will not criticise team

Scott McDonald gave Motherwell the lead

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough said he could not have asked any more of his players as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Ross County.

The Steelmen took the lead through Scott McDonald but were pegged back by Liam Boyce's 12-yard shot before the break.

The result leaves Motherwell trailing County and Kilmarnock by six points with three games remaining, and means their participation in the play-offs look likely.

"I don't think there's any way that the players could be criticised for anything today," Baraclough told BBC Scotland.

"It was 90 mile per hour for the whole game, both teams going hammer and tong, giving absolutely everything.

"For me, we couldn't ask for any more from the boys. We created a lot of good chances, we did everything to try and win the game.

"It was a case of just waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net at times."

Motherwell host Kilmarnock next week, and Baraclough feels if his side can win, the chance of avoiding a play-off against Rangers, Hibernian or Queen of the South is still achievable.

He said: "Kilmarnock have got to come here next week and it's a chance to get within three points of them. For me it's all to play for.

"We do look forward to next week, we can pull them a lot closer to us and if we do all of a sudden it's two games to go and three points. There's still a lot to play for yet."

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre said his team was happy to take a point from Fir Park ahead of playing bottom side St Mirren next week.

"There's no doubt Motherwell started the better team, but I thought our response was excellent," he said.

"The second half was both teams trying their best to get a winner but I don't think there was a lot of quality in the match. There was a swirling wind, the pitch wasn't great and it was a nervous tension from both sides.

"Don't lose the match, that was the sole aim of coming here. Sometimes when your quality isn't what it can be you've just got to take your point and we'll gladly do that."