Motherwell 0-0 Aberdeen: Hard fought draw takes Steelmen onto 22 points

The Dons had the better chances overall but Motherwell battled manfully as they earned a decent point after losing their previous four matches.

Aberdeen had the first chance inside three minutes when Matty Kennedy's cross was flicked on by Ryan Hedges to Motherwell old boy Curtis Main who sent an effort wide.

The Dons again threatened when Connor McLennan's cross found Kennedy whose effort was deflected for a corner.

Motherwell had a major let off on 13 minutes when a driven corner from the left was met by Main's head but the ball came back off the crossbar.

After a swift Aberdeen breakaway, McLennan's shot was blocked by Gallagher and the first half ended goalless.

The first chance of the second half saw Andy Considine's shot for the away team blocked following Hedges' delivery from the left.

Attacks were rare for Motherwell in the second half but substitute Devante Cole produced a fine surge on 74 minutes and his driven cross from the right just evaded Polworth in the middle. The Dons then came close at the other end when Hayes' cross from the left was brilliantly cleared by Grimshaw's head with Kennedy primed to score.

The game was opening up now and Watt's surge down the left set up Polworth in the middle but his shot was blocked by Considine when the ball appeared to be heading into the net.

Watt produced a brilliant surge down the right wing on 86 minutes but his final shot from a tight angle was blocked by Joe Lewis.

The draw means that Motherwell move onto 22 points from 19 games ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Dundee United.

Motherwell: Archer, O'Donnell, O'Hara, Gallagher, Lamie, Grimshaw, Crawford (Maguire 84), Polworth, Campbell, Watt (White 90), Lang (Cole 68).

Referee: Greg Aitken