Motherwell will play Premiership football next season after a 2-1 win away against Dundee secured their spot in the division.
Antonio Portales punished a slow start by the visitors with a lovely first half finish. Tactical changes by Fir Park boss Michael Wimmer improved the away performance and Tom Sparrow levelled after half-time. Johnny Koutroumbis was sent off following a VAR review before Tawanda Maswanise netted a dramatic late winner.
Victory against St Johnstone last time out had given Wimmer’s side breathing room in the hunt to finish above the relegation play-off spot of 11th. Victory and Ross County defeat would seal Premiership safety but a loss could have them looking over their shoulders again.
Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough was restored to the starting XI for the first time since January and he was busy early on, Oluwaseun Adewumi and Ziyad Larkeche denied one after the other. Then a Joe Shaughnessy header was pushed away before Motherwell again failed to deal with a cross into their box, the Irishman winning the first contact before a wonderful effort into the top corner by Portales.
He scored a near identical effort before the break as those in claret and amber swung and miss at clearing a throw. Already, chances of victory looked slim to none, but VAR spotting an offside came to the rescue to chop it off and keep this game within striking distance. It was four at the back instead of three with wing-backs at the start of the second half with substitute Maswanhise instantly having a curling effort go out for a corner.
Callum Slattery had Motherwell’s only real chance of note before that in the first half. They were growing and growing before Lennon Miller burst from midfield, his pass bobbling into the path of Sparrow who finished comfortably. Proceedings changed again with a Koutroumbis red but it was the visitors who’d go closest next with Dan Casey hitting the bar with a header. Ewan Wilson also had a shot saved by Trevor Carson.
Then, somehow, Maswanhise rose tallest to head home just on 90 minutes to claim three huge points. County’s 3-1 loss means that Motherwell can no longer finish 11th and an eight point cushion on 10th-placed Dundee means their eyes are fixed firmly on finishing top of the bottom six. Here is how we rated the Motherwell players.
5. Stephen O'Donnell - 7/10
The man tasked with playing ball into midfield. Managed to do that fairly well. Solid when in middle of back four. | Contributed
6. Dominic Thompson - 6/10
Pinned back in his own half with limited impact up the park. Stood tall with rest of team when reduced to 10 and excellent cross for the Maswanhise header. | CameraSport - Richard Martin-Roberts
7. Andy Halliday - 6/10
Got into a muddle with Slattery for the first goal and effort cut out. Game managed well in the second half. | Motherwell Times
8. Lennon Miller - 7/10
Looked to take the ball and drive forward but dragged into a scrappy game. Second half much improved and does so well for goal. | Getty Images