Motherwell 0-1 Aberdeen: Managerless visitors end 11-game winless league run
- Published
'Absolutely ridiculous' to disallow Motherwell goal
Managerless Aberdeen eased concerns over their Scottish Premiership future by ending an 11-game winless league run with a hard-fought victory at Motherwell.
The Pittodrie side remain just three points above the relegation play-off spot, but a resolute performance at Fir Park will provide encouragement to a fanbase who were beginning fear the worst.
Leighton Clarkson's 25th-minute goal, leathered in on the rebound after Bojan Miovski struck the left-hand post, was more than deserved and proved to be decisive.
Motherwell thought they had levelled when Lennon Miller's strike ricocheted in off Aberdeen defender Angus MacDonald, but referee Willie Collum ruled it out when an on-field review showed the ball hitting Theo Bair's hand before it reached his team-mate.
More polished finishing and better decision-making may have had the visitors sitting on an increased lead, but failure to add a second made for some nervy moments against a home side who also spurned their own openings.
Just a second league win of the year sends Aberdeen up to ninth and moves them within two points of eighth-placed Motherwell, who are now looking over their shoulder again.
"I'm delighted with the win, performance and clean sheet," Aberdeen caretaker manager Peter Leven told BBC Scotland. "We were brave on the ball. That was the best way to get the result and we did that.
"We had to dig deep, we knew they were going to throw everything at us, but Kelle [Roos] was superb. The backline and midfield were brilliant as well."
Two potential goal-saving blocks from an inspired away defence denied Bair and Dan Casey a first-half goal, as did the impressive Kelle Roos when he thwarted Sam Nicholson.
Roos was on hand again to foil Bair after the break, twice in a matter of seconds at his front post, before the Canada striker glanced a header just wide.
Last-ditch stops from defence and goalkeeper also denied Aberdeen, with Casey's face getting in the way of Jamie McGrath's strike after Liam Kelly had tipped over a fierce effort from Miovski, who was much-improved despite failing to score for an eighth straight game.
Player of the match - Kelle Roos (Aberdeen)
A source of criticism recently, the Aberdeen goalkeeper made crucial saves at crucial moments to bail out a gutsy defence
Dons grit teeth with Motherwell left hard done by - analysis
"We're in trouble" was the message from Leven after a feeble defeat at Dundee on Wednesday.
But this victory will send Aberdeen into the international break in a far better frame of mind, with the appointment of a new manager expected by the time they return to action.
The away side's mentality has been fragile of late, but they withstood spells of pressure in Lanarkshire and posed far more of a threat in comparison to recent league games.
Stuart Kettlewell felt hard done by watching on in the home dugout, with the handball of Bair ruling out an equaliser and an incident he thought was similar on Graeme Shinnie in the Aberdeen box going unpunished.
The Motherwell manager will perhaps also look back on his team selection with regret. The decision to start Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell, who both played so well at Ibrox a fortnight ago, did not give the hosts enough drive in wide areas.
And Miller was often left isolated in midfield, with the more attack-minded duo of Blair Spittal and Sam Nicholson playing either side of the teenager.
The half-time introductions of Georgie Gent and Andy Halliday - who sliced a golden close-range opportunity into the hands of Roos - changed that, but going with the pair from the off may have resulted in a different outcome.
What they said
'No level of consistency' with VAR, says Kettlewell
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I said to the players we take ownership for our performance, but that doesn't stop me from looking at some of the incidents in this game and how silly this is all becoming.
"We had an incident earlier in the season against Ross County. We were told unequivocally at that point because it wasn't the guy who scored the goal who handballed it, that stands and that counts.
"I would love someone to tell me what the difference is today. We're not getting any level of consistency [with VAR]."
Aberdeen caretaker manager Peter Leven: "At times we could've scored more, but I'm delighted with the three points. We can't look at other teams around us. It's all about us and what we can do.
"I don't look at what happened elsewhere. We can't affect what happens elsewhere and the boys just need to keep getting results and keep climbing the table."
'Brave' Aberdeen had to 'dig deep' at Motherwell
What's next?
Following the international break, Motherwell host St Mirren while Aberdeen welcome Ross County on 30 March (both 15:00 GMT).