St Johnstone lose 2-1 to Motherwell

Mar 9 2010 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THERE was no telegram from Her Majesty and this Perth Centenarian was far from pleased with the behaviour of some of the guests, writes Gordon Bannerman.

The party atmosphere fell flat when in-form Motherwell nabbed a late winner but Perth manager Derek McInnes, who was marking his 100th game in charge, was disappointed with fans who overdid the boos at kicking-out time.

His playing CV includes a stint with Rangers, where the natives are never slow in making their opinions known, and McInnes was quick to leap to the defence of his players.

Nowadays, football fans are more fickle than ever, with many blessed with the memory span of your average gnat.

Last time out at McDiarmid Park, Saints were cheered to the rafters after a glorious 5-1 triumph over Hibs had scribes flicking back a dozen years to find such an impressive SPL result.

This time the noise at time-up was less flattering as an element of the support instinctively opted for barracking. If you’re not a hero you’re a zero in the modern game.

But McInnes expressed his disappointment at the reaction, pointedly posting a reminder that this was a side new to the SPL and determined to extend their stay. He left it at that, without observing that most supporters would agree they’ve had more entertainment and bang for their bucks than for many a year at this level.

SPL membership is not yet guaranteed and a united front would help the cause with a series of home games on the horizon.

The outcome was undeniably hard to bear, with two glaring goalkeeping errors by Graeme Smith paving the way to Motherwell’s 10th match unbeaten.

Only Rangers had breached the defence drilled by Craig Brown and Archie Knox during that sequence so the Fir Park outfit are no mugs and a different species from the side skelped 3-1 on Boxing Day under previous management.

During a ponderous start Saints were caught out badly in the 11th minute. A long ball from Hammell picked out Jamie Murphy’s run but Smith inexplicably charged from his line to fashion a star jump in anticipation of a lob.

That may have been the attacker’s intention but it wormed its way under the stranded keeper and Graham Gartland contrived to block the initial shot. But it broke back to Murphy and the young centre rammed it into the net via Gartland’s legs.

Danny Grainger replaced a hobbling Steven Anderson and went on to impress. Liam Craig tested the Motherwell keeper with a free-kick and a goalline headed clearance put the leveller on hold. But in the 26th minute Stevie Milne finally opened his SPL account after an injury plagued season.

It was beautifully fashioned, with Dave Mackay’s pass backheeled by Kenny Deuchar. It was intended for Murray Davidson but when the midfielder missed out Milne sensed his opportunity and curled home a low shot from 10 yards.

He might have had a second but before the break Well twice came close at the other end, with Smith barring the way as Murphy again burst through.

The winter has taken its toll on pitches up and down the country, with Sir Alex even querying whether Wembley had hosted a horse show. There are many worse than McDiarmid but a passing game is challenging.

Motherwell almost made it two when a quick free-kick played in Murphy but Michael Duberry’s experience ensured he was perfectly positioned to divert a netbound shot for a corner.

Saints had most of the possession and a Milne flick played in Craig only for the midfielder to drag a right-foot strike wide. And Deuchar was leaning back as he met a Chris Millar cross in the 72nd minute and his header powered over the crossbar.

It was looking like a draw but five minutes from the end substitute Jutkiewicz got in an angled shot. It wasn’t the most powerful and Smith had it covered but failed to grip it. John Sutton gambled and got his reward by prodding home the rebound to all but seal Well’s top six place.

St Johnstone: Smith, Mackay, Anderson (Grainger 28), Duberry, Gartland, Millar, Davidson (Morris 66), Moon, Craig (Morais 85), Deuchar and Milne. Subs not used: Main, Connolly, Sheridan and Swankie.

Motherwell: Ruddy, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Humphrey, Jennings, Sutton, Lasley (Forbes 70), Murphy (Jutkiewicz 81), O’Brien (Coke 70) and Hateley. Subs not used: Fraser, McGlinchey, McHush and Saunders.

Referee: Craig Thomson.