Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: Steelmen kocked out of Betfred Cup

Despite taking a second half lead through Tony Watt, the Steelmen were knocked out through goals by Callum Hendry and David Wotherspoon.

The first goal effort in the 10th minute saw Wotherspoon fire wide of Aaron Chapman's right hand post from 25 yards.

Motherwell had a scoring chance on 17 minutes when Liam Polworth's corner from the right was met powerfully by Declan Gallagher's head but the ball flew over the bar.

St Johnstone's Shaun Rooney rampaged down the right flank and crossed for Wotherspoon whose snap shot was off target.

Watt was played through by Callum Lang on 33 minutes but shot straight at away keeper Zander Clark.

The best chance of the half came for the visitors when Stevie May’s delightful flick put Ai McCann through on Chapman but the big keeper saved well with his legs.

An early second half St Johnstone corner was only cleared to Jamie McCart who shot wide.

A Wotherspoon setpiece from the left was headed hopelessly wide by May before Wotherspoon’s daisy cutter was turned wide by Chapman.

A fine piece of play by Robbie Crawford saw him drive forward in a 'Well attack which culminated in Watt running the ball out of play.

Motherwell broke the deadlock just after the hour when Polworth's flighted free-kick was headed down by Ricki Lamie to Watt who thrashed the ball home emphatically.

Chapman was called into action on 65 minutes when he turned a Callum Hendry effort round the post after a McCann head flick.

But Saints did score within two minutes when Michael O’Halloran’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Chapman to Hendry who finished simply.

It was then 2-1 St Johnstone when O'Halloran sprinted away from Crawford down the right wing and his cross was turned home by Wotherspoon.

St Johnstone were then close to getting a third when Chris Kane’s left footer from the edge of the box only just missed the far post.

A disappointing day for ’Well who host Hibernian in the league next Saturday.

Motherwell: Chapman, Lamie (Grimshaw 77), O’Hara, Crawford, Mugabi, Polworth (White 77), Lang, Gallagher, Watt, O’Donnell, Cole (Seedorf 45).

Referee Alan Muir