Motherwell 3-3 Ross County: Fir Park side score two late goals to snatch draw
- Published
Luca Ross' 94th-minute equaliser capped Motherwell's late comeback
Motherwell scored twice in the final 10 minutes - including in the fourth minute of stoppage time - to snatch a dramatic draw against Ross County and end a run of four straight Scottish Premiership defeats.
All six goals came in the final half hour and County twice opened a two-goal advantage before Motherwell came roaring back.
Eamonn Brophy swept Malky Mackay's side in front and Simon Murray's wonderful turn and finish from the edge of the box doubled their lead eight minutes later.
But the introduction of substitute Mika Biereth helped turn the game for Motherwell.
The Arsenal loanee made his return after two months out injured and won and converted a penalty to reduce the gap, only for Victor Loturi to profit from poor defending and restore County's two-goal advantage four minutes later.
But Biereth then turned provider for Conor Wilkinson to calmly slot in Motherwell's second on 88 minutes and, when seven minutes of stoppage-time were flashed up on the board, the home side smelled opportunity.
Paul McGinn's high cross caused havoc, and teenager Luca Ross was there to force the ball home and spark jubilant scenes at Fir Park, and devastation in the County dug out.
"The manner of the goals we lost today, all three weren't great," Mackay told BBC Scotland.
"The last one we don't clear a header but the first two are horrendous. We're looking at them and we're killing ourselves because we were excellent today.
"I thought we were terrific and could have scored seven. Laidlaw hasn't had a save to make. But we gifted goals away."
Player of the match - Mika Biereth
A goal and an assist, the striker helped turn the game for Motherwell
Regret & joy after breathless finale - analysis
What a breathless end to a game which for 65 minutes, did not present an abundance of chances. Those that did come were mostly for County, and the fact they went on to find a cutting edge only to surrender a two-goal lead will infuriate manager Mackay.
Brophy's finish was tidy and capped a fine move involving substitute Kyle Turner, and Murray's pirouette and shot was brilliant. But after that County became strangely ragged and stretched.
Even then, Loturi managed to run in behind and score after having his initial shot saved, which should have been the moment the Dingwall outfit re-assessed and calmed things down. But they didn't.
Motherwell, on the other hand, take enormous credit for going to the end and they can thank Biereth for his impact.
Before injury he came on against Hibs and turned a defeat into a victory, and again here his raw pace set up the penalty as he raced in behind and drew a foul from goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
He finished calmly, and was involved in the second - albeit asissted by a misplaced County pass - as he slipped in Wilkinson. He also helped cause the chaos in the County box at the end with his presence, as did Dan Casey. And what a way for Ross to grab his first Motherwell goal.
After losing four games in a row whilst playing pretty well, Motherwell got themselves out of jail and will hope this can spark a run of more positive results. If Biereth stays fit, he will play a big part in that.
What they said
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "My first thought is real anger and frustration. We put ourselves into a position - we could create more - but after the first 15 minutes we took full control.
"We started the second half exactly like that but without looking enough of a goal threat. Then we just shoot ourselves in the foot. The goals emanate from two throw-ins which comes down to organisation.
"I'm really annoyed at that side of things. But the flip side is we showed unbelievable character to get back into the game."
What's next?
Both sides are in league action during the week, with Ross County away to Hibs on Tuesday (19:45 GMT), while Motherwell host Aberdeen 24 hours later.