St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell: Bair nets equaliser for visitors against his former club
- Published
Theo Bair celebrates his equaliser against former club St Johnstone
Motherwell lacked "killer instinct", said manager Stuart Kettlewell, after their dominant performance produced only a point against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
Theo Bair returned to haunt his former club as the striker's powerful header levelled for Motherwell after Craig Levein's side had taken an early lead through Ryan McGowan.
But while the visitors continued to press and push forward, exploiting plenty of space down the flanks, a mix of poor finishing and solid defending denied them victory.
The result means Motherwell stay ninth, above St Johnstone on goal difference.
"I thought we pretty much controlled the game. It was one of our better performances in some time," said Kettlewell.
"The one thing missing was that killer instinct in front of goal, even though we got into some really good scenarios, but I thought our control of the game was as good as you can have it in many ways away from home."
McGowan stabbed home a scrambled corner in just three minutes, giving St Johnstone the lead after a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside - with Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly booked for his protests.
As they looked to overcome an effective midfield block, Motherwell found some joy down St Johnstone's left flank, with George Gent and Blair Spittal combining well.
Dimitar Mitov kept his side ahead as Gent flashed a ball into the box from the left, with Bair's header blocked by the goalkeeper's body.
But Motherwell reaped rewards on the left as Spittal dropped a deep cross perfectly for Bair to head home across the face of goal.
Diallang Jaiyesimi, on for the injured Liam Gordon, brought extra energy to the St Johnstone forward line during the second half.
Motherwell threatened in a lively couple of minutes as Bevis Mugabi flicked wide and Paton blasted past the post from inside the box.
Paton had the opportunity to snatch victory, getting on the end of a slide-rule pass to find himself clean through, but couldn't find the finish.
However, it was the home side who came closest to a late winner, with Kelly scrambling to save a close-range Jiyasemi header after neat play by David Keltjens on the right wing.
Player of the match - Blair Spittal
The Motherwell midfielder was a constant nuisance, combining well with Georgie Gent down the left, providing the key cross for Bair's equaliser and coming close from a free-kick
Motherwell lack cutting edge as Mitov proves worth for Saints - analysis
Motherwell will feel this was two points dropped after an impressive attacking performance was blunted by a lack of cutting edge.
The visitors created plenty of chances but despite Bair's powerful header for the equaliser, they contrived to get just two of 11 efforts on target.
Kettlewell said pre-match he hoped to have two or three more players signed by now, and with the transfer deadline looming he will be desperate to add firepower to a forward line beset by injury.
St Johnstone will be the more relieved, having withstood heavy pressure from the visitors after snatching an early lead, but their mid-block proved successful in limiting the amount of direct traffic to Motherwell's forwards.
Gordon limping off shortly before half-time will not be welcomed by Levein. But once again Mitov showed his worth, keeping Saints in the match.
What they said
St Johnstone manager Craig Levein: "We fought and worked really hard, we just didn't play as well as we could. But at least we've dug in and got another point, and it's another point that will help us at the end of the season."
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "There's disappointment there, I think that anyone watching would say we were the better side."
What's next?
Motherwell host Kilmarnock next Saturday while St Johnstone face a trip to Dingwall to take on fellow strugglers Ross County (both games 15:00 GMT).