St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell: O'Hara penalty saved as Well's unbeaten run continues
- Published
Mika Biereth was unable to add to his Motherwell goal tally
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson defended "brave" Mark O'Hara after the midfielder's penalty miss in an eventful Scottish Premiership goalless draw against Motherwell.
Liam Kelly saved the tame second-half spot-kick before Stuart Kettlewell's side missed several clear-cut chances to win their first game since early September.
Both sides lacked a clinical edge in a game heavily affected by heavy wind and rain, and will look back on the contest as a missed opportunity.
St Mirren drop to fourth, while Motherwell fall to 11th as their winless run stretches to 14 games.
"There's no criticism of Mark, people miss penalties - he's brave enough to step up every week and take them," Robinson said.
"Even the rebound is affected by the wind, it puts it back to him so quickly he can't react. Credit to Liam, he makes a good save and Mark misses it - it happens in football and you dust yourself down, we had chances to win the game outwith that."
Robinson warned before kick-off the conditions would limit the options for both sides, and so it proved in a first half where attacking quality was in desperately short supply.
Greg Kiltie had the only clear sight of goal, when the ball was cut back to him from the right, but he slipped as he went to shoot and miskicked his effort just over the bar.
Motherwell posed next to no threat going forward, as they failed to score a first-half goal for the 15th time in the league this season.
The hosts were gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead shortly after the restart when Stephen O'Donnell handled as he attempted to block Jonah Ayunga's cross.
However, O'Hara, normally so reliable from the spot, couldn't find the corner and Kelly made a decent save to his right.
Motherwell, having created precious little in the first 67 minutes, then should really have taken the lead. Blair Spittal put Alex Gogic on his backside, cut inside on to his right foot, but slid his shot wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.
Mika Biereth then fluffed his lines in front of goal after springing the offside trap as the visitors pushed for a priceless victory.
There was to be one more chance for Motherwell, but Zach Hemming denied Theo Bair from close range to sum up a frustrating afternoon.
Player of the Match - Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Some big saves from the Motherwell captain, none more so than from O'Hara's penalty. A welcome return to form for the Scotland international
Priceless clean sheet comes at a cost for Motherwell - analysis
Motherwell's major issues on the park this season have undoubtedly been at the back. They have conceded a league-high 29 goals, and club captain Kelly has made several high profile errors as confidence has been palpably eroded.
They dug deep to earn just a second league clean sheet of the season, showing a defensive structure that has been missing in recent months. More clean sheets will be vital if they are to arrest their slump.
After Kelly denied O'Hara from the spot, Kettlewell will be deeply frustrated his side didn't go on to win the game, with Spittal, Biereth and Bair all missing one-on-ones with Hemming.
For St Mirren, they were always in the game, but couldn't reach the levels they did against Ross County last time out.
Stav Nahmani and Ayunga both struggled to affect the game as they did in the Highlands, but there is no need to panic for the Buddies. They remain well on course for a top-six finish.
What they said
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "Considering the conditions we had to play in, it was an entertaining game, wasn't it?
"We missed a penalty, Greg [Kiltie] misses a really good chance where he slips, they had two good chances where Zach [Hemming] saved.
"Probably a point is an even result and a fair result. I think when St Mirren are sat fourth in the league, we're doing fine."
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "On chances created, [I think we should have won]. Anyone that was here would see that we created the best chances.
"I understand we rely on Liam Kelly [for the penalty], but you look at the quality of chances we've had. Slattery, Spittal, Biereth and Theo Bair gets a really good chance.
"There's a frustration in me. I'm delighted with the clean sheet, I'm delighted to come here and be as competitive as we were, but I think when you create those chances you have to take three points.
"The players are giving everything for this football club, and there are no complaints with the performance from my side."
What's next?
St Mirren go to Tynecastle on 23 December (15:00), while Motherwell host Rangers on Christmas Eve (12:00).