George Stanger scoresSNS

George Stanger converts for Kilmarnock to rescue a point

At a glance

  • Djenario Daniels gives Kilmarnock the lead after a sweeping first-half move

  • Dominant Motherwell roar back with goals from Tawanda Maswanhise and Emmanuel Longelo

  • Motherwell keeper Calum Ward drops a cross which George Stanger converts

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30/08/2025

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Calum Macdonald
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

A mistake from Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward helped Kilmarnock to an enthralling draw as both sides remain unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership.

It will feel like two points dropped for the home side, who controlled large parts of the games and conceded a cheap equaliser as Ward dropped a cross with nine minutes to play.

The home side started brightly but it was Kilmarnock who took the lead after a sweeping move led to Djenairo Daniels firing home a Brad Lyons pull-back.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been very clear about his footballing philosophy since coming to Scotland and he will be delighted at how his players responded to falling behind.

They stuck to his style and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos could have brought them level with a header from a corner, but it was blocked amid shouts for a penalty.

But the home side were not to be denied. A great move ended with a weak Ibrahim Said shot which Maks Stryjek should have held, and Tawanda Maswanhise slammed home the equaliser.

Askou's men raised the intensity and deservedly went ahead shortly after the hour, they turned the ball over in their own half and broke quickly. It looked like the chance was gone after Stamatelopoulos chose the wrong option, but the ball broke to Emmanuel Longelo who drilled the home side ahead.

Motherwell looked the better side through the second half but gifted Kilmarnock a way back into the game when Ward failed to gather a simple cross and George Stanger tapped the ball home.

That mistake took the wind out of Motherwell's sails and the closest either side came to a winner was a Marley Watkins header.

Keeper questions facing Askou - analysis

The main question facing Askou is about his goalkeeper.

Motherwell are proving to be one of the stories of the season. It would have been easy to retreat into their shell after falling behind early in the game, but the Fir Park side stuck to their principles. Their passing and movement in the final third of the pitch especially was excellent.

They looked stronger as the game progressed and the standard of their play is testament to the work their new manager has been able to do since he arrived in the country.

However, for the second time in seven days Motherwell have dropped points due a goalkeeping error.

What information do we collect from this quiz?

Kilmarnock would have settled for a point before a ball was kicked and even more so after an hour.

They found it difficult to live with Motherwell as the game wore on, but were gifted a way back into the game by Ward's mistake.

Daniels was a constant danger in the first half and Kilie fans will be hopeful there's much more to come from him and the team as the season progresses.

But they remain unbeatean after four games and Kettlewell will be happy enough with that.

What they said

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou told Sportsound: "We had full control and anything can happen in football.

"If the referee sees the touch, he gives the foul. It was very subtle, then you are 2-2 in a game you should win.

"I don't think there's clear indication in the cameras. I've seen Calum [Ward] catch these balls a million times. He had control of the situation - I believe him when he says there was a touch."

Kilmarnock manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We score a very good goal. It just comes down to game management at the end of the first half.

"We know Motherwell have pace in their team. We can handle the last few seconds of the first half far better. We don't and it's always a body blow when you concede at that time.

"Motherwell really took control and we lost another goal from a turnover. I have to praise their players to get back in the game and maybe win it. We'll absolutely take [the point]."

What next for these teams?

Motherwell travel to Dundee on 13 September (kick-off 15:00 BST) as Jens Berthel Askou continues to seek his first win. Kilmarnock host unbeaten Celtic the following day (15:00).

Where to go next?

Player of the match

L. Mayo
7.38
21 E. Just
7.11
18 T. Maswanhise
6.96
45 E. Longelo
6.93
20 E. Watt
6.81
2 S. O'Donnell
6.63
12 L. Fadinger
6.59
16 P. McGinn
6.44
4 L. Gordon
6.15
90 I. Said
6.07
9 A. Stamatelopoulos
6.00
77 Regan Charles-Cook
5.14
22 J. Koutroumbis
5.10
25 O. Priestman
5.09
5 K. Balmer
4.57
66 C. Hendry
4.45
13 C. Ward
4.41
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